Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday ruled in favour of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, saying it is the “real Shiv Sena”. He said the MLAs cannot be disqualified for going “incommunicado” as alleged by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
Once the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government fell in June 2022, cross-petitions were filed by the Sena factions seeking disqualification of each other’s MLAs under the anti-defection law. This outcome will now decide the way forward for the Shinde-led government and the rival group.
The much-awaited verdict comes more than 18 months after the Sena suffered a vertical split, a political development that resulted in a change of guard in the state. Shinde had earlier said Narwekar should decide on merit as the Election Commission had allowed his outfit to keep the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and its ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. His group has 67 percent of the Sena lawmakers in the assembly and 75 percent in Lok Sabha, he added.
Here is how it all unfolded:
January 9, 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray files affidavit in the Supreme Court objecting to a recent meeting between Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar and chief minister Eknath Shinde. He said since the top court directed Narwekar in May last year to take a decision on the disqualification pleas, the speaker has met the chief minister twice.
December 15, 2023: The SC extends the deadline to January 10 for Narwekar to decide on the cross-petitions filed by rival factions of the Shiv Sena seeking disqualification of each other’s MLAs.
October 30, 2023: The SC finally sets December 31 as the deadline for a decision by the speaker on the cross petitions.
October 17, 2023: An SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud pulls up Narwekar over the delay in deciding on the disqualification petitions.
May 11, 2023: The SC rules that the Maharashtra government led by Shinde will continue, as the court cannot reinstate the previous coalition government because Thackeray resigned without facing a floor test.
March 16, 2023: The SC completes hearing the matter but reserves the order.
August 23, 2022: The matter is referred to a constitution bench.
July 3, 2022: The new speaker gives recognition to the Sena faction led by Shinde.
June 26, 2022: The SC grants interim relief to the 16 rebel MLAs.
June 25, 2022: The rebel MLAs appeal before the SC.
June 23, 2022: At least 16 MLAs receive disqualification notices from the speaker.
June 20, 2022: Shinde and several MLAs rebel against the then CM Thackeray, leading to a split in the Sena and fall of the MVA, which also comprised the NCP and Congress.
(With PTI inputs)
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