Neelam Gorhe’s position as the deputy chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council is secure for the moment, as the deputy chief minister told the house on Tuesday that the anti-defection law does not apply to her. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had demanded the disqualification of Gorhe, who abandoned Uddhav Thackeray and joined Shinde-led Sena earlier this month. Sena (UBT) leaders Ambadas Danve and Anil Parab said since Gorhe had defected, she was liable for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. They demanded that she be removed or kept away from duty until the matter was sorted.

Oppn insists on removal

Jayant Patil of Peasants and Workers Party of India argued that the post of the chairperson or the deputy chairperson is politically neutral, and hence a person holding it cannot exit or enter any party. He suggested that the chairman be elected immediately to decide the legal dispute, because the authority higher than Gorhe was not in office.