Mumbai: Ahead of the regular hearing of disqualification petitions of the two factions of the Shiv Sena, Speaker Rahul Narwekar said he would strictly follow the Constitution and the Maharashtra Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1956. No matter how much someone tries to influence me or make accusations against me, I will work according to the rules, he said.
Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been raising objections over the timeline and procedure set by the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker for holding the hearings on disqualification petitions.
Speaking with the reporters on Wednesday, Narwekar said that many people have been trying to influence his decisions through various means in connection with the disqualification petitions. "But my decision will stick to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (disqualification on ground of defection) rules 1986 and Constitution of India...I will not get affected by anyone's allegations. I will work within the four corners of laws," he said.
Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray's claims that after he raised the objection over Narvekar's foreign tour, it was cancelled, Mr. Narvekar said that he had cancelled the tour on September 26 due to his pre-scheduled work. But on 28 September, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader raised the issue in order to create a perception that it was cancelled because of him, the speaker said. "Efforts are being made to pressurise me. But I will not be intimidated with such a threat as a speaker," he said.
Without taking the name of Aditya Thackeray, Mr. Narwekar said that he does not work in his constituency through the members of legislative councils. "I resolve the issues of people in my constituency at my office. Those who are habitual of running the constituency through MLCs do not understand how to resolve the issues of the citizens," he said.
The hearing in connection with 34 disqualification petitions filed against 53 MLAs by both factions of Shiv Sena had started on September 14 at the central hall of state legislature.
