Uddhav Thackeray Faction Moves SC Against Maharashtra Speaker’s Verdict on Disqualification Plea

The faction led by Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena has approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing to challenge the verdict of the Maharashtra Speaker on the disqualification plea. The Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, had recently rejected the disqualification petitions filed by both factions and declared Chief Minister Eknath Shinde‘s faction as the ‘real Shiv Sena’.

Uddhav Thackeray’s faction has expressed concerns of potential disqualification if they do not comply with the directions issued by the Shinde faction. They maintain that the presence of MLAs from the rival faction in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is against democratic principles and constitutional values.

In response to the Speaker’s order, Uddhav Thackeray and his camp criticized the decision, accusing the Speaker of colluding with Eknath Shinde. They raised objections to a meeting between Narwekar and Shinde just before the verdict. Thackeray termed the ruling as a ploy to kill democracy.

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) further accused the Speaker of acting as Shinde’s lawyer during the ruling on the disqualification petitions. Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, stated that the decision was biased and questioned its legality.

Nevertheless, Speaker Narwekar defended his decision, stating that while he is adjudicating the disqualification petitions, he can still perform his other duties as an MLA and member of a legislative board. He maintained that challenging the order does not automatically overturn it, and it needs to be proven as illegal or untenable.

Uddhav Thackeray’s faction has approached the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing to challenge the Speaker’s verdict. The outcome of this step remains to be seen.