Will again move SC if Speaker does not disqualify rebels, says Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appeal to the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government to resign and face elections.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray during a press conference after Supreme Court's decision on Maharashtra political crisis, in Mumbai, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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A day after the Supreme Court verdict on the dispute between the two warring factions of the Shiv Sena, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday questioned the legality of the election of state Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar.

“There is a question over whether the election of the current Speaker is legal or not. The legality of the Speaker’s selection needs to be reviewed in the context of the SC order,” the Shiv Sena UBT chief said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Uddhav also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appeal to the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government to resign and face elections for the sake of saving the image of the country, Hindutva and Maharashtra.

“I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi… politics is there but now the question is of the image of our country, Hindutva and Maharashtra. It is being defamed all over the world. Today, the country’s PM Narendra Modi is Vishwas Gaurav, the whole world knows him. So under his leadership, it does not look good that such wrong things are happening and our country is being defamed. I urge him to stop this defamation by asking the Maharashtra government to resign and let us face elections,” Uddhav said on Friday morning.

Uddhav also said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) will approach the Supreme Court again if Narvekar does not take a call on the disqualification of the 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs within a stipulated time. The Supreme Court had ruled on Thursday that the state Assembly Speaker can decide on the disqualification petition against Shinde and 15 other rebel MLAs, which came as a setback for the Thackeray-led Sena. The Supreme Court had said that “the Speaker must decide on the disqualification petitions within a reasonable period”.

During the press conference at Matoshree, Uddhav reiterated that action has to be taken against former Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. The Supreme Court had said that the then governor was not justified in calling for a floor test on June 30, 2022, as he did not have objective material to show that the incumbent government had lost the confidence of the House.

Vallabh Ozarkar

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

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