26 October,2023 09:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/ PTI; (right) Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde. Pic/Ashish Raje
The ongoing arguments regarding disqualification petitions against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other MLAs, presented before Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, are anticipated to stretch into the following week, as indicated by Anil Sakhare, the legal representative of the Shinde group, stated a report in PTI.
According to the report, while speaking to journalists at Vidhan Bhavan, Sakhare explained, "We have requested permission from the speaker to submit evidence in support of our arguments, which has been contested by the Thackeray faction. It is expected that the arguments on these petitions will continue until next Tuesday or Wednesday, with the speaker's final decision to follow."
The proceedings commenced at 4:15 pm and extended until 6 pm, he further noted.
Meanwhile, MLC Anil Parab of Sena (UBT) told PTI that his party demanded the Speaker conduct a summary inquiry on the basis of documents submitted before him. "He should immediately decide on them. All the documents we have submitted are based on facts. They should be accepted as they are. There is no need to validate them," Parab was quoted as saying.
He added that the Shinde faction sought time for submitting evidence. He said that a decision shall be made on November 2 on whether to conduct further hearings and cross-examine witnesses. "The issues will be framed after the decision is taken," Parab added.
This development follows the fragmentation of the original Shiv Sena party last year, leading to reciprocal disqualification requests from the Shinde-led and Uddhav Thackeray-led factions.
Notably, the Supreme Court admonished Speaker Narwekar on October 13 for the delay in resolving the disqualification pleas filed by the Thackeray faction, underscoring that the speaker should not defy the orders of the highest court. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, instructed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to provide a timeline for reaching a decision, stated the PTI report.
Reportedly, on September 18, the Supreme Court directed the speaker to specify a clear timeline for the adjudication of these petitions.
The Shiv Sena experienced a schism when a group of MLAs, led by Shinde, rebelled against the party leadership and formed a coalition with the BJP to establish a government in June 2022. This revolt ultimately led to the dissolution of the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government under Thackeray's leadership, with Shinde subsequently assuming the role of Chief Minister.
