SC's Role Limited To Unconstitutional Decisions, Says Maha Speaker Narwekar

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the disqualification petitions filed against Shiv Sena MLAs who left the party last year. Narwekar emphasized that the Supreme Court would only intervene in legislative decisions if they were deemed unconstitutional or violated established laws. This statement comes in response to petitions seeking the disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs who departed from the Uddhav Thackeray camp in June of the previous year.

The split within the Shiv Sena, instigated by Eknath Shinde's revolt against the party leadership, resulted in the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Subsequently, the breakaway faction led by Shinde formed a new government in collaboration with the BJP. Both factions filed disqualification pleas against each other after 39 MLAs, including Shinde, broke away from the original party, PTI reported.

Narwekar acknowledged that the Supreme Court would consider the petitions before it, intervening only if a decision was found to be unconstitutional or in violation of the law. He emphasized the equality of the legislature, judiciary, and executive branches, stating that no one branch has authority over the other, emphasizing the importance of constitutional discipline.

The Supreme Court had previously directed Narwekar to provide a timeline for the adjudication of disqualification petitions against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Shiv Sena MLAs loyal to him, expressing concern over the apparent delay in addressing these pleas. In response to allegations against his office regarding the delay in hearing petitions against 16 Shiv Sena MLAs, Narwekar reiterated that allegations made outside the legislative House would not be taken seriously and that he would not succumb to external pressure.

He emphasized the significance of upholding the Constitution and the Disqualification of Members on the Grounds of Defection Rules of 1986 in making decisions related to the disqualification of members.