Hearing of Shiv Sena MLAs’ disqualification pleas today as Narwekar prepones date

“I have received an invitation for an event in Delhi, which is on October 13. I must attend this event. So I am holding the hearing on Thursday instead of Friday. I don’t want any delay in the hearing and the whole procedure of disqualification. A decision should be taken as soon as possible,” Narwekar said.

The Speaker also responded to the criticisms made by the opposition for delaying the procedure saying that if he had an intention to delay the hearing then he would have postponed it and not preponed it.

“If I had to delay, I could have postponed it citing the reason… But I am holding the hearing a day earlier. I know the motive behind the accusations against me. But this will not affect my decision making process… I will take my decision according to the rules,” the Speaker said.

According to the officials, on Thursday, Narvekar is set to issue order on whether all the disqualification petitions should be clubbed together instead of hearing it separately.

During the previous hearing held last month, Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray had demanded that all disqualification petitions be clubbed and a joint hearing be held of all the MLAs.

However, the Shinde faction had opposed the demand and said that an independent hearing should be held stating that the cases are different in nature.

In the last week of September, the Narwekar had issued an order setting down the timeline and procedure for holding the hearings on disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs.

As per the timeline the hearing was supposed to start from October 13.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) had, however, raised objections over it saying that there is no clarity till when the hearing will go on as final hearing date is not mentioned.

As per the timeline mentioned in the order issued by Narvekar, the submission of evidences, documents, affidavits, pleas, its verification and arguments would go on till November 23 before the Speaker would start the cross-examination of the MLAs or concerned persons.

But there is no clarity in the order on when the final decision on the disqualification would be given.

The order states that “cross-examinations shall commence from November 23 and further dates shall be given as per dates convenient to parties and their counsels. As far as possible, the cross-examination shall be held twice a week. After two-week from conclusion of recording of evidence, the petitions would be listed for final hearing.”

Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab said that the decision on the petition must be taken within a month’s time and said that the party will urge the Supreme Court during the next hearing to issue directives to Narwekar to expedite the hearings.