Mumbai, June 27: The ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra seems to have taken the legal route after Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde approached the Supreme Court challenging the disqualification notices issued by Narhari Zirwal, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly to rebel MLAs. Meanwhile, a vacation bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala will hear the matter today.
As the Maharashtra political crisis enters the sixth day, here are all the latest developments:
Two MLAs from the Eknath Shinde-led faction are set to travel from Guwahati to Mumbai to discuss the Maharashtra political situation with Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari,reported News 18. It also reported that the MLAs are likely to inform him about the loss of confidence in the current Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.
In another setback to the Shiv Sena, Parbhani MLA Rahul Patil is likely to join the Eknath Shinde-led camp in Guwahati.
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde termed Supreme Court’s notice to the Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker a “victory of Balasaheb’s Hindutva”.
Check Tweet:
हा वंदनीय हिंदुहृदयसम्राट शिवसेनाप्रमुख बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांच्या हिंदुत्वाचा आणि धर्मवीर आनंद दिघे साहेबांच्या विचारांचा विजय..!#realshivsenawins
— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) June 27, 2022
Supreme Court lists the plea for hearing on July 11
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Deputy Speaker, Secretary of Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly, Centre, and others on pleas filed by rebel MLAs against the disqualification notice issued by the Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal against Eknath Shinde and 15 other rebel legislators of Shiv Sena.
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Supreme Court also issues notice to Shiv Sena leaders Ajay Chaudhary, Sunil Prabhu and asks them to file a reply within five days. Supreme Court lists the plea for hearing on July 11th.
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
"The counter affidavits if any be filed within 5 days. Rejoinder thereto be filed within 3 days thereafter. List the matter for hearing on July 11"- bench order.#MaharashtraPolitcalCrisis
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) June 27, 2022
Aaditya Gets Additional Charge of Higher and Technical Education Department
Amid the reshuffling of the departments of ministers by Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, the Higher and Technical Education Department of Uday Samant has been reassigned to Aaditya Thackeray. On the other hand, the Urban Development, Public Works Dept (Public Undertaking) of Eknath Shinde was reassigned to Subhash Desai while the Water supply and Sanitation Dept of Gulabrao Patil has been given to Anil Parab. Agriculture Dept of Dadaji Bhuse has been given to Sandipanrao Bhumre, reports ANI.
Check tweet:
Maharashtra portfolio reshuffle | Higher and Technical Education Department of Uday Samant reassigned to Aaditya Thackeray
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
This is a conspiracy to stop me: Sanjay Raut
After receiving a summon from the Enforcement Directorate, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut took to Twitter and said, "I just came to know that ED has summoned me. Good!" Raut also said that the summon is a conspiracy to stop him. "Even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route. Arrest me!" he said.
Check tweet:
"I just came to know that ED has summoned me. Good! There are big political developments in Maharashtra. We, Balasaheb's Shivsainiks are fighting a big battle. This is a conspiracy to stop me. Even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route. Arrest me!" tweets Sanjay Raut pic.twitter.com/bX6wD5KU2K
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
I just came to know that the ED has summoned me.
Good ! There are big political developments in Maharashtra. We, Balasaheb's Shivsainiks are fighting a big battle. This is a conspiracy to stop me. Even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route.
Arrest me !
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/VeL6qMQYgr
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) June 27, 2022
Uddhav Thackeray Hands Over Portfolios of Rebel Ministers
Amid the ongoing political crisis in the state, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Monday reshuffled the departments of ministers so that the issues of public interest are not neglected or ignored, the CMO said. Sources said that Thackeray has taken away the department's charges from rebel MLAs and handed them over to other ministers.
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Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray reshuffles the departments of ministers so that the issues of public interest are not neglected or ignored: CMO
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
Big development. Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray takes away the Rebelled Sena ministers departments charges and handed over to another ministers. @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard https://t.co/e89mR6fRIE
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) June 27, 2022
ED summons Sanjay Raut
On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued summons to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on June 28, in connection with Patra Chawl land scam case. Meanwhile, supporters of rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde gathered outside his residence in Thane.
Check tweets:
Maharashtra | Supporters of rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde gather outside his residence in Thane
Supreme Court to hear today the plea moved by Eknath Shinde against the disqualification notices issued by the Dy Speaker against rebel Maharashtra MLAs. pic.twitter.com/IHtC3fkpb4
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on June 28, in connection with Patra Chawl land scam case
(File pic) pic.twitter.com/bPioKK6IPJ
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
MVA alliance has lost the majority in the house: Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde in his petition filed in the Supreme court said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has lost the majority in the house as 38 of the members of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party have withdrawn their support.
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Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has lost the majority in the house as 38 of the members of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party have withdrawn their support thus bringing it below the majority in the house: Eknath Shinde in his petition filed in Supreme court
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
Eknath Shinde releases another video of rebel MLA
In a video released by Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Sabne said, ""Do you not feel any pain while sitting in the Cabinet with Chhagan Bhujbal who had arrested Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray?"
Check tweets:
"Do you not feel any pain while sitting in the Cabinet with Chhagan Bhujbal who had arrested Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray?", says rebel Shiv Sena MLA Subhash Sabne in a video released by Eknath Shinde pic.twitter.com/AT2SIOtpeF
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
PIL against Eknath Shinde and rebel MLAs
Amid the political instability in Maharashtra, a PIL has been filed against Eknath Shinde and other rebel MLAs before the Bombay High Court for "neglecting" their official duties and seeking directions for them to resume office.
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PIL filed against Eknath Shinde and other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs in Bombay High Court for "neglecting" their official duties and seeking directions to them to resume office.
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
Its Eknath Shinde vs Uddhav Thackeray
According to reports, senior council Harish Salve will represent the Eknath Shinde camp in Supreme Court. On the other hand, senior council Kapil Sibal and Abhisekh Manu Singhvi will represent Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. In a tweet, Singhvi said that he was happy to appear for Shiv Sena headed by Uddhav Thackeray and its office bearers.
Check tweets:
Senior council Harish will represent Eknath Shinde camp in Supreme Court while another Sr council Kapil Sibal & Abhisekh Manu Singhvi will represent Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray tomorrow.
— Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) June 26, 2022
Learnt that two writs filed today by #Shinde group listed tomm in #sc for hearing in vacation bench! Happy to appear for #shivSena headed by #uddhavji and its office bearers.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) June 26, 2022
Eknath Shide speaks to MNS chief Raj Thackeray
On Monday, Eknath Shinde Shinde spoke to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the phone twice. Shinde spoke to Thackeray about the recent political situation in Maharashtra and enquired about his health, an MNS leader said,
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Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shide spoke to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over phone twice. Shinde spoke to Thackeray about the recent political situation in Maharashtra and enquired about his health, an MNS leader confirmed
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2022
Eknath Shinde approaches Supreme Court
Shinde approached the Supreme Court challenging the disqualification notices issued by Narhari Zirwal, Deputy Speaker
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Check tweet:
Supreme Court to hear the matter tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VHiP1bUqK1
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) June 26, 2022
#MiShivSainik says Eknath Shinde
Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that in order to fight for Balasaheb’s Hindutva ideology, we are ready to lay down our lives.
Check tweet:
हिंदुहृदयसम्राट वंदनीय बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांच्या हिंदुत्वाच्या विचारांसाठी आणि बाळासाहेबांची शिवसेना वाचविण्यासाठी आम्हाला मरण जरी आलं तरी बेहत्तर....
तसे झाल्यास आम्ही सारे आमचं भाग्य समजू...#MiShivsainik @rautsanjay61
— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) June 26, 2022
Shiv Sena's Senior Counsel
Advocate Devdutta Kamat, Shiv Sena's Senior Counsel on Sunday said that the concept of 2-3rd (to surpass anti-defection law) applies only if there is a merger. "Until the MLAs don't merge with another party, disqualification applies," he said.
Check tweet:
The concept of 2-3rd (to surpass anti-defection law) apply only if there is a merger. Until the MLAs don't merge with another party, disqualification applies. Till today there's no merger, they have voluntarily given up membership: Adv Devdutta Kamat, Shiv Sena's Senior Counsel pic.twitter.com/lGRlhFazDq
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2022
The Shiv Sena continued to take a dig at the rebel MLAs. Maharashtra Minster Aaditya Thackeray said that traitors will not be taken back into the party, while Sanjay Raut called the rebel lawmakers "living corpses". It is to be seen as to what course of action unfolds in Maharashtra amid the political instability in the state.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2022 09:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).