10 January,2024 09:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. File Pic
Tension is mounting in Maharashtra as the state awaits the assembly speaker's decision on Sena disqualification plea. Reportedly, cross-petitions were filed by competing factions within the Shiv Sena demanding the disqualification of their respective MLAs following a party split. This decision has substantial ramifications for the government led by Eknath Shinde, as well as the regional organization's internal dynamics, stated a report in PTI.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar's long-awaited decision is planned for 4 pm on Wednesday, more than 18 months after the Shiv Sena split, resulting in a state leadership change.
According to the report, before the verdict on Sena disqualification plea, Uddhav Thackeray made it known that his party objected to a recent meeting between Speaker Narwekar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Supreme Court. Thackeray expressed disapproval of the meeting and doubted Narwekar's objectivity.
"If the judge (Narwekar) is going to meet the accused, what should we expect from that judge," Thackeray asked during a media interaction at his residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai.
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Nationalist Congress Party chief and Uddhav's ally Sharad Pawar too said when someone hearing a case--referring to Sena disqualification plea--meets the person against whom the case is, it "leaves room for doubt", the PTI report stated.
Responding to Thackeray's allegations, Narwekar defended the meeting, claiming that it was within the purview of a speaker's duty to discuss with the chief minister and denied any misconduct. Thackeray, on the other hand, underlined his concerns about the fairness of the decision-making process.
Reportedly, Narwekar met CM Shinde at his official residence 'Varsha' on Sunday.
"If he still levels such allegations, then his motive is very clear. There is no rule that a speaker while hearing disqualification pleas, cannot do any other work," he hit back, as per PTI.
The Supreme Court had earlier extended Narwekar's deadline to deliberate on cross-petitions filed by warring Shiv Sena groups demanding the disqualification of each other's MLAs to January 10.
CM Shinde and several MLAs rebelled against Thackeray's leadership in June 2022, sparking a rift within the Shiv Sena and the dissolution of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
Both sides filed accusations against one another, requesting that anti-defection laws be applied. The Supreme Court recommended a prompt decision on both cases in May 2023. Maharashtra's political climate will probably change as a result of this judgement, as assembly elections are slated for the second half of 2024.
