Maharashtra’s rebel MLAs, led by senior Shiva Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who are now camping in Gawhati, get a big relief from the Supreme Court from the disqualification notices issued by Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly.
It has issued notices to the Deputy Speaker, Secretary of Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly, and others on pleas by rebel Shiva Sena MLAs against the disqualification notice served on them. It has listed the matter for hearing next on July 11.
The court was hearing two petitions challenging the decision by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal to recognise Ajay Choudhary as leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party (SSLP) in place of Shinde, and the disqualification notices served on Shinde and the 15 MLAs.
On being asked why the rebel camp had not approached the Bombay High Court with their plea against the disqualification of MLAs and the appointment of Ajay Chaudhary as Shiv Sena party group leader, Shinde’s lawyer told the Supreme Court: “A minority of the legislative party is subverting the state machinery, attacking our houses. They’re saying that our dead bodies will return from Assam. The atmosphere is not conducive for us to exercise our rights in Mumbai.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has decided to hand over the portfolios of five absent ministers and four ministers of state to others to ensure their smooth functioning.
ED summons to Sanjay Raut
On the otherhand, amid the political crisis unfolding in the state, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on June 28 (Tuesday) in connection with a case related to irregularities in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project at Mumbai’s Goregaon.
Reacting to the summons by ED, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said “I am not linked with any of the companies mentioned by the ED. Tomorrow, I will not be able to go to appear before the probe agency as there is a rally in Alibaug which I have to address”.
Moreover, he added that “It’s legal battle and I dare them to arrest me if they have orders from the BJP to do so. We all were aware that such action would be initiated against some of us amid this current political situation in Maharashtra to stop us from fighting back. I will not be scared by such bogus cases and will not go to Guwahati”.
He asserted that “ I will prefer to be jailed. Do whatever you want to do. I am Balasaheb’s Shiv Sainik. I have worked with Balasaheb for 30 years and I am the editor of the paper Saamana. I will fight for Shiv Sena from wherever I am.”
