Maharashtra: Speaker Rahul Narvekar can shock not only CM Eknath Shinde but also Uddhav Thackeray
The decision will be taken today whether Eknath Shinde will remain the CM of Maharashtra or not. As per the order of the Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Assembly will take a decision on the disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLAs at 4 pm on Wednesday. The Supreme Court had given time to the Assembly Speaker till January 10 to take a decision on this petition. Shinde, who had rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray 18 months ago, had separated from the party along with 40 MLAs. Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed that when Shinde broke the party, two-thirds of the MLAs were not with him. If the decision of the Assembly Speaker is in favor of the Shinde faction, then the Thackeray faction will file an appeal in the Supreme Court. Now the politics of Maharashtra is in the hands of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar. There is sure to be a stir in the Mahayuti government of Maharashtra if the MLAs of Eknath Shinde group are disqualified. However, the government will be saved with the help of its 105 MLAs of Bharatiya Janata Party and 40 MLAs of NCP rebel Ajit Pawar. If the government falls and no one stakes claim to form the government, the Center can impose President’s rule in Maharashtra.
Know from legal expert, what Speaker Rahul Narvekar can do
Former Principal Secretary Anant Kalse told Times of India that 34 petitions have been filed with the Assembly Speaker on behalf of the Thackeray faction and the Shinde faction. This petition has been filed separately a total of 6 times. The Thackeray faction had filed its petition four times and the Shinde faction twice. The Speaker can give different decisions on these petitions. It is also possible that the Speaker may disqualify the rebels from both the groups. Since the Speaker will take decisions on different criteria, no one’s membership will be terminated. On the other hand, according to advocate Ujjwal Nikam, this is the first time that after the Supreme Court order, the Speaker has been asked to give a decision on eligibility and disqualification. Speaker Rahul Narvekar can give different opinions for different petitions. In such a situation, he can accept some petition and reject others.
Assembly Speaker may surprise you with 6 different decisions
Legal experts believe that while taking the decision of disqualification, the Speaker will have to include facts and legal aspects under Schedule 10 of the Constitution. Rahul Narvekar will study the petitions of six groups. He will have to take care of the timing of the party whip. It remains to be seen what was the position of the Whip during the election for the post of President. Who violated the whip? Separate decisions can be taken on these 6 petitions. If the Assembly Speaker does not disqualify the MLAs of the Shinde group, then 14 MLAs of the Thackeray group will be in danger of losing membership. Shinde faction had also petitioned the Assembly Speaker to cancel the membership of 14 MLAs. Both the parties will get 30 days to challenge Rahul Narvekar Thackeray’s decision in the court. In such a situation, Shinde government’s breath will hold till the court’s decision.
BJP is ready to give CM post to NCP’s Ajit Pawar
According to legal experts, despite the disqualification of Shinde faction, there is no threat to the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. Currently the majority figure in Maharashtra is 145. As soon as the 16 MLAs of the Shinde faction are disqualified, the membership of the other 24 MLAs who have separated from the party will be at stake. If a total of 16 seats remain vacant, the majority calculation will be done on the basis of 265 seats. According to this, the majority figure will also become 134. Ajit Pawar group has 40 MLAs in support of BJP, due to which there will be no threat to the government. In this situation, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will become powerful in the government. Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections are to be held in 2024. The challenge for BJP is to keep power in Maharashtra stable till the elections. In such a situation, the CM’s chair can go to Ajit Pawar. A BJP leader said that their aim is to win as many seats as possible in the Lok Sabha, right now the post of CM is not a big issue.
If he becomes ineligible, he will first resign, then Shinde can form the government
As soon as the MLAs are disqualified, Eknath Shinde will have to resign from the post of CM. Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has 10 ministers in the government. According to the rules, these ministers will also have to resign. There are 10 ministers from BJP and 9 from NCP in the government. As soon as Shinde becomes disqualified, the government will automatically fall due to his resignation. Along with this the new government will have to take oath. In such a situation, Shinde and his group ministers can take oath again. According to statutory rules, he can remain a minister for the next 6 months even without membership of the House. Assembly elections will be held again in the next 6 months. BJP has one more option. Under this, Devendra Fadnavis himself will take over as CM. The vacant posts of Shinde faction will be divided between BJP and NCP.
