Ahead of a pivotal verdict from the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker on cross-petitions filed by different factions of Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde expressed strong confidence in the Speaker’s impending decision. Emphasizing his faction’s strength, Shinde asserted, ‘we have a majority’. This statement comes at a time when the political climate in Maharashtra is intensifying due to the ongoing disputes within Shiv Sena.
Maharashtra: The political landscape in Maharashtra is witnessing a crucial phase as the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar is set to announce a verdict on the disqualification pleas filed by the two factions of Shiv Sena. This decision is eagerly awaited in the backdrop of a split in the party, which has significantly raised the political temperature in the state.
Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde expressed confidence in the upcoming decision of the Speaker. CM Shinde, representing one faction of the Shiv Sena, stated,
“I will give an official statement after 4 pm. I just want to say that we have a majority. 67% in Vidhan Sabha and 75% in Lok Sabha. We have 13 MPS and 50 MLAs. Based on this majority, the Election Commission has recognized us as the original Shiv Sena and allotted the bow-arrow symbol. We hope that the speaker will pass us on merit.”
The disqualification pleas, central to the current political crisis in Maharashtra, have been pending since the onset of the political turmoil in the state. These pleas were initially filed by Sunil Prabhu, the Shiv Sena party Whip appointed by Uddhav Thackeray, on June 23, 2022, following a revolt by a section of the MLAs against Thackeray. The notices of disqualification were issued by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal in the absence of the Speaker.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Postpones Umar Khalid’s Bail Hearing to January 24
The Supreme Court, on June 29, 2022, allowed a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly to be conducted on June 30, refusing to stay the Maharashtra Governor’s direction to then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority support on the floor of the House. Following the apex court’s order, Uddhav Thackeray announced his resignation as the Chief Minister, paving the way for Eknath Shinde to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister.
Amidst these developments, Shiv Sena (UBT faction) leader Sanjay Raut raised concerns over the timing of an upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Alleging prior knowledge of the verdict by PM Modi, Raut accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of “illegally” running the government and said
“Match fixing” is going to happen in Maharashtra today at 4 pm. The Maharashtra Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) is illegally running the government. For us, that is a crime. He is an accused,” Raut stated at a press conference.
As Maharashtra awaits the Speaker’s verdict, the outcome is set to have significant implications for the political dynamics in the state, particularly for the Shiv Sena factions and their future in Maharashtra politics.
