Neelam Gorhe hasn’t changed parties, can continue as dy chairperson: Devendra Fadnavis

Due to the uproar on Monday, the council had to be adjourned following which Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders met Governor Ramesh Bais complaining about the issue.

विधानपरिषदेच्या उपसभापती डॉ. नीलमताई गोऱ्हे या प्रारंभीपासूनच शिवसेनेच्या सदस्या आहेत आणि आजही शिवसेना सदस्य आहेत. मूळ शिवसेना कोणती हे आता निवडणूक आयोगाने स्पष्ट केले आहे. त्यामुळे त्यांच्या निर्हर्तेचा प्रश्न निर्माण होत नाही.
घटनेच्या दहाव्या शेड्युलमध्ये सुद्धा याचे दाखले… pic.twitter.com/En7vvH4yFf

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 18, 2023

The Tuesday’s discussion was overseen by presiding officer Niranjan Davkhare.

Responding to allegations of impropriety in Gorhe continuing as deputy chairperson, Fadnavis said, “There has been no change in her party. She was and is with Shiv Sena. Hence there is no switch in parties. The Election Commission has given the Shiv Sena party and symbol to Eknath Shinde who is the Shiv Sena leader.”

“One has to keep in mind that the disqualification part of the dispute regarding which the Speaker has to decide is about MLAs who had switched prior to EC’s decision in favour of Shinde. Thus Gorhe’s party has not changed and I feel those remaining MLAs (those with Shiv Sena UBT) should come to original political party,” he added.

Earlier Satej Patil of Congress read out a tweet by Shinde in which he welcomed Neelam Gorhe to the Shiv Sena party. Patil said that if she had not changed parties, why did the CM welcome her in the new party. Apart from Patil, Sena UBT’s Anil Parab and Ambadas Danve argued that Gorhe could no longer continue as the deputy chairperson as her disqualification, along with that of two leaders who switched from Sena UBT to Shinde Sena, was being sought by them.

Addressing the presiding officer, Fadnavis said, “You have heard both sides and you can take a decision you deem suitable.”

Davkhare said, “There is no precedent of such an issue and hence a committee can be formed to look into the issue.”

Fadnavis told Davkhare, “ You can give a ruling after taking some time.” Davkhare then said he would give a ruling post lunch, but no decision was taken till end of day.