Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to again seek Governor's nod for Speaker poll

Uddhav Thackeray. File pic

After clashing with the Maharashtra governor over refusal to hold election for the post of Assembly Speaker in the Winter Session, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will again seek Raj Bhavan's nod to fill the vacancy during the Budget Session that begins in Mumbai on March 3.

In the last session, the MVA government passed a bill to hold the election with a voice vote instead of a secret ballot. However, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari told the government he would examine the bill on constitutional merit before giving his approval. The last two days of the Winter session witnessed a contentious non-verbal exchange between the CM and the governor.

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said Thackeray will write to the governor, informing him about the poll programme to be scheduled before the Budget presentation on March 11. A power sharing agreement has given the Congress the top post, which will go to polls to fill the vacancy caused by Nana Patole's resignation.