Maharashtra Assembly Speaker to Decide Next Course of Action Ater Studying SC Order

Mumbai: Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha speaker Rahul Narwekar has refused to comment on the Supreme Court directive to decide on Shiv Sena MLAs disqualification case before December 31. The next course of action will be decided only after studying the SC order, he said.

The SC raised concerns over the delay in hearing these petitions and directed Narwekar to rule on the disqualification petitions filed by Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction by December 31 and those from Sharad Pawar's camp by January 31.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated, "If these petitions can't be heard by the Speaker, it has come to the point where we may have to hear them." He also underscored the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of the 10th Schedule and expressed a desire to maintain its integrity.

The verdict is seen as a setback for Narwekar as the top court declined the proposal of Narwekar to conclude proceedings on disqualification petitions by February 29, 2024.

Commenting on the strictures passed by the apex court, Narwekar said, "I have not received the copy of the directives issued by the supreme court and it is not clear what has been said in the verdict. Without verifying, I won't be able to comment on it."

When asked about the December 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court, Narwekar said, "About the deadline, only oral arguments were held. Hence, I won't be to comment without verifying what is written in the SC order."