Disqualification pleas verdict: Eknath Shinde faction was real political party when factions emerged, says Narvekar

Rahul Narvekar. File Pic

Maharashtra assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday, while pronouncing disqualification pleas verdict, held that the CM Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena was the "real political party" when rival groups emerged on June 21, 2022, reported the PTI.

Reading out his ruling on disqualification petitions filed by Shinde-led Sena and the rival faction led by Uddhav Thackeray against each other's MLAs, Narwekar also said that Sunil Prabhu of the Shiv Sena (UBT) ceased to be the whip from June 21, 2022, as per the PTI.

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The speaker also held that the Shiv Sena 'pramukh' (chief) did not have the power to remove any leader from the party.

The 1999 party constitution submitted to the Election Commission was the valid constitution for deciding the issues, he said, according to the PTI.

This constitution made the 'Rashtriya Karyakarini' (national executive) the supreme body, he said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the crucial decision on the cross-petitions by Shiv Sena factions seeking disqualification of each other's MLAs, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday that Speaker Rahul Narwekar should give his verdict on merit, reported the PTI.

the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court objecting to a recent meeting between CM Shinde, who is among the MLAs whose disqualification has been sought, and speaker Rahul Narwekar, triggering a verbal spat between both sides.

We never objected to opposition MLAs having food in the speaker's office, said CM Shinde, referring to the criticism of Rahul Narwekar for visiting him on Sunday.

Shinde said the speaker came officially, in his official vehicle, and broad daylight. The CM said the speaker met him over projects in his constituency, including the Coastal Road.

Talking to reporters, CM Eknath Shinde said that he would give a detailed reaction after the order but maintained that the Election Commission has allowed his outfit to keep the name 'Shiv Sena' and its 'bow and arrow' symbol.

Rahul Narwekar is slated to deliver his much-awaited verdict on the disqualification pleas at 4 pm on January 10 (Wednesday), Vidhan Bhavan officials have said, more than 18 months after the Shiv Sena suffered a vertical split, a political development that resulted in a change of guard in the state, as per the PTI.

(with PTI inputs)