Speaker Narvekar called Shinde-faction as Real Shiv Sena
Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, recognising Eknath Shinde’s group as the real Shiv Sena. Thackeray’s Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) has sought a stay on the Narvekar’s order and restraining Shinde group MLAs from attending the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
UBT also demanded the suspension of the membership of Shinde-led Shiv Sena members.
UBT has called Narvekar’s decision unlawful and politically motivated. It is against the anti-defection law as mentioned in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Narvekar ruled in favour of Eknath Shinde on January 10, saying that the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde is legitimate as it has the support of the majority of the party’s legislators. The Speaker did not disqualify any member from both factions.
Thackery called the decision ‘an insult to the Supreme Court order’ and a ‘murder of democracy’.
In June 2022 Eknath Shinde along with more than 40 Shiv Sena MLAs rebelled against the then Chief Minister and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray led to the fall of the Maha-Vidarbha Aghadi government. Shinde then joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government and became the Chief Minister, with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.
Both Shinde and Thackeray factions filed petitions before the Speaker. In May 2023 the Supreme Court directed the Speaker Rahul Narvekar to adjudicate on the petitions.