Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has issued notices to 40 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) belonging to the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena party, as well as 14 legislators from the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. The notices seek their replies on disqualification petitions filed against them.
The MLAs have been given a seven-day deadline to respond and are required to submit all necessary evidence to avoid potential disqualification. This move by the Speaker comes after receiving a copy of the Shiv Sena’s constitution from the Election Commission (EC). The timing coincides with the upcoming court hearing on the disqualification petitions of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs, including Eknath Shinde.
Notably, both Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray might be called upon by the Speaker to present their views and provide evidence in relation to the matter. It is worth mentioning that Aaditya Thackeray, son of Uddhav Thackeray, and Rutuja Latke, who won the Andheri (East) bypoll on a ticket from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction last year, were not served with notices.
This development follows a petition filed by Sunil Prabhu, an MLA from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, in the Supreme Court. Prabhu sought directions for the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to expedite the decision on the disqualification petitions against the 16 MLAs, including Eknath Shinde.
On May 11, the Supreme Court directed the Speaker to decide on the fate of the 16 Shiv Sena MLAs accused of engaging in anti-party activities, including Eknath Shinde. The controversy arose in June last year when Shinde and 15 other MLAs rebelled against then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Subsequently, Shinde and the rebel legislators aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a new government.
The issuance of notices by the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker marks a significant step in the process, as it provides an opportunity for the MLAs involved to present their side of the story and defend themselves against potential disqualification. The subsequent court hearing is expected to shed more light on the matter and shape the political landscape in Maharashtra.