Why is Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal Hogging The Limelight Amid Maharashtra Political Crisis?

Maharashtra Political Crisis: In the absence of the speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the session of the assembly and conducts the business in the house. Thus, he might play a pivotal role in the near future as he has all the powers of the speaker.

Updated: June 27, 2022 7:21 PM IST

By India.com News Desk | Edited by Surabhi Shaurya

Why is Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal Hogging The Limelight Amid Maharashtra Political Crisis?
Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal with CM Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

New Delhi: The ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra intensified on Monday as the Supreme Court extended till July 12, the time granted by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal to the 16 dissident MLAs to submit their written responses to the disqualification notice. The top court also asked the Maharashtra government to ensure the protection of all rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and their family members.

Why is There No Speaker in Maharashtra Assembly?

In 2019, when the NCP-Sena-Congress combine formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi,  Congress’ Nana Patole was appointed as the speaker of the house. However, a year later, Patole became the Congress chief of state and he resigned from his post and since then no replacement has been found.

Why is The Deputy Speaker Hogging The Limelight Amid The Crisis? 

In the absence of the speaker, the Deputy Speaker presides over the session of the assembly and conducts the business in the house. Thus, he might play a pivotal role in the near future as he has all the powers of the speaker.

He had given the first jolt to the rebel MLAs by approving the appointment of Uddhav loyalist Ajay Chaudhari as the legislature party leader of Shiv Sena. He had sought the disqualification of rebel MLAs under the Members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on the ground of Defection) Rules, 1986.

Can Deputy Speaker Take Action Against Rebel MLAs Under Anti-Defection Law?

Filed through advocate Abhinay Sharma, a rebel MLA in his plea said that the deputy speaker cannot disqualify any member under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution during the pendency of his own removal resolution and termed his action in recognising Ajay Choudhary and Sunil Prabhu as Leader and Chief Whip of SSLP as illegal.

The plea said, “Issue a writ of prohibition/mandamus or any other appropriate writ, direction or order, interim in nature stay the effect and operation of the notice dated June 25, 2022, issued to the Petitioner by the Respondent No. 1.”

Furthermore it added, “Issue a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order or direction hold and declare that the Letter/order dated June 21, 2022, passed by the Respondent No. 1 accepting the appointment of Respondent No. 4 as Leader of Shiv Sena Legislature Party is illegal and unconstitutional and be pleased to quash and set aside the same.”

What Has Happened So Far in Maharashtra | 5 Key Developments

  • The time granted by the Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly to the petitioners or other similarly placed Members of the Legislative Assembly to submit their written submissions up to today by 5.30pm, has been extended till July 12th.
  • Maharashtra government has reshuffled portfolios of the nine rebel MLAs of Shinde camp.
  • “We are confident of winning. We have all love with us. Those who betray don’t win. Those who run away don’t win,” says Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray when asked how confident is he that the MVA govt won’t fall.
  • “My best wishes to Sanjay Raut on ED summon,” said Shrikant Shinde, Shiv Sena MP and son of Eknath Shinde, in Thane.
  • A core committee meeting of Maharashtra BJP is underway at Sagar bungalow – the residence of Devendra Fadnavis – to discuss the present political situation in the state.

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