Disqualification pleas verdict: Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pronounces verdict

Vidhan Bhavan. Pic/Sameer Abedi

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday evening pronounced the Shiv Sena MLAs' disqualification pleas verdict.

Rahul Narwekar said, "Cannot accept petitioner's (Uddhav faction) contention that the 2018 party constitution should be relied upon," the PTI reported.

IN PHOTOS: Maharashtra speaker Rahul Narwekar to announce verdict in Sena disqualification pleas today

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He said, "Shiv Sena constitution provided by Election Commission is real constitution, to be called SS Constitution."

Uddhav Thackeray group's submission to consider Shiv Sena 2018 constitution cannot be accepted, Narvekar said, the PTI reported.

He said, "the Shiv Sena constitution relevant to the extent of identifying leadership structure."

According to the ANI, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar says, "The 2018 amended constitution of Shiv Sena cannot be considered as valid as it's not in the records of the Election Commission of India. As per Supreme Court orders, I can not delve into any other factor on which the constitution is valid. As per records, I am relying on the 1999 constitution of Shiv Sena as the valid constitution."

He said, "The constitution of Shiv Sena provided by ECI is the relevant constitution of Shiv Sena for the determination of which faction is the real political party."

Rahul Narwekar further said, "As per the Apex court both the factions have submitted different versions of the constitution party, then in that case what has to be taken into account, the constitution which was submitted to the ECI with the consent of both parties before the rival factions emerged...Before recording further conclusion it is imperative to reiterate that pursuant to the initiation of this disqualification, the Maharashtra Legislative Secretariat had a letter dated June 7, 2023, requesting the office of ECI to provide a copy of the party constitution/memorandum/rules," the ANI reported.

Earlier, ahead of the crucial decision on the cross-petitions by Shiv Sena factions seeking disqualification of each other's MLAs, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday that Speaker Rahul Narwekar should give his verdict on merit, reported the PTI.

Talking to reporters, CM Eknath Shinde said that he would give a detailed reaction after the order but maintained that the Election Commission has allowed his outfit to keep the name 'Shiv Sena' and its 'bow and arrow' symbol.

Rahul Narwekar is slated to deliver his much-awaited verdict on the disqualification pleas at 4 pm on January 10 (Wednesday), Vidhan Bhavan officials have said, more than 18 months after the Shiv Sena suffered a vertical split, a political development that resulted in a change of guard in the state, as per the PTI.

CM Shinde said that his group has 67 per cent of the Shiv Sena lawmakers in the assembly and 75 per cent in Lok Sabha.

"Some people allege match-fixing (between Shiv Sena and the speaker). There is no substance to those allegations. The speaker should give judgment on merit," he said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court objecting to a recent meeting between Shinde, who is among the MLAs whose disqualification has been sought, and speaker Narwekar, triggering a verbal spat between both sides.

"We never objected to opposition MLAs having food in the speaker's office," said Shinde, referring to the criticism of Rahul Narwekar for visiting him on Sunday.

CM Shinde said that the speaker came officially, in his official vehicle, and broad daylight. The CM said the speaker met him over projects in his constituency, including the Coastal Road.

(with PTI and ANI inputs)