In a significant development, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar delivered a landmark verdict, declaring the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde as the legitimate representation of the party. The ruling brings an end to an 18-month-long political feud, asserting Shinde’s standing and dismissing disqualification petitions against his faction.
The Speaker’s decision, announced on Wednesday, emphasized the 1999 constitution of Shiv Sena, which removed the concentration of power from the party chief. The amended 2018 constitution, not submitted to the Election Commission, had reinstated power in the hands of the party chief. According to the Speaker, Uddhav Thackrey, as the Shiv Sena pramukh (president), lacked the authority to remove Eknath Shinde as the leader of the legislative party.
This verdict holds particular significance as it stems from a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde and over 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, which took place 18 months ago. The rebellion brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, comprising the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Congress. Following the political upheaval, Eknath Shinde joined forces with the BJP and assumed the position of Chief Minister, with Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.
The disqualification petitions, involving 34 rival Shiv Sena factions, were heard by the Speaker, who divided them into six parts for adjudication. The ruling asserts the legitimacy of Eknath Shinde’s faction and nullifies the authority of Shiv Sena chief whip, Sunil Prabhu, to call the legislature meeting.
Cross-petitions filed by the Shinde and Thackeray factions prompted the Supreme Court to direct Speaker Rahul Narwekar to expedite the adjudication process in May 2023.
With this verdict, the Election Commission’s recognition of the ‘Shiv Sena’ name and ‘bow and arrow’ symbol for the Shinde-led faction is solidified, concluding a chapter in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
