Introduction
In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar delivered a decisive ruling on Wednesday, settling the intense battle for control within the Shiv Sena party. The verdict, which declared Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction as the authentic Shiv Sena, not only keeps the numbers intact in the Maharashtra assembly but also secures Shinde’s position as the chief minister. This ruling marks a significant victory for the ruling coalition, bringing an end to a prolonged and fractious internal struggle within the party.
The Controversial Ruling
Narwekar’s decision, following a series of 23 hearings that spanned from September 14th to December 20th, has set the stage for a potential transformation in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The battle for control of the Sena has broader implications, not only impacting ongoing feuds within the Nationalist Congress Party but also potentially influencing future internal conflicts in political parties.
Narwekar’s Justification
The assembly speaker emphasized that the 10th schedule of the Constitution couldn’t be invoked to quell intraparty dissent, rejecting calls to disqualify Chief Minister Shinde and his lawmakers. However, Narwekar also dismissed the plea to disqualify 14 members of the legislative assembly (MLA) from the Thackeray faction, citing technical flaws in the submission process.
Thackeray’s Response
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray strongly criticized the ruling, labeling it a “murder of democracy” and announcing his intention to challenge it in the Supreme Court. In contrast, Eknath Shinde welcomed the decision, stating, “I have always fought against forces that compromised for political gains and did not have respect for people’s mandate.”
Historical Context
The Shiv Sena underwent a vertical split in 2022 when Shinde and 39 legislators parted ways with Uddhav Thackeray, aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government. The subsequent legal battles, including a Constitution bench ruling and an Election Commission decision in February 2022, further complicated the party’s internal dynamics.
Narwekar’s Detailed Ruling
Narwekar meticulously examined the party’s constitution, leadership structure, and historical context to determine the genuine Shiv Sena faction. Relying on the party constitution from 1999, he noted discrepancies between the constitution recorded with the Election Commission and the amendments claimed by the Thackeray faction in 2018.
The speaker underscored that the Shiv Sena’s constitution made no provision for the post of “paksha pramukh,” as self-conferred by Uddhav Thackeray in 2018. Narwekar concluded that the leadership structure was not in conformity with the constitution, and the prevailing document from 1999 was considered for the ruling.
The Numbers Game
Narwekar emphasized the importance of legislative majority during the party split in June 2023, declaring that the faction led by Eknath Shinde was the legitimate Shiv Sena party. He rejected the notion that Uddhav Thackeray had the authority to remove Shinde from the party, establishing Shinde’s validity as the leader of the party in the legislature.
Disqualification Petitions
The speaker nullified the disqualification petitions against Shinde’s faction, highlighting that the whip issued by Sunil Prabhu, appointed by Uddhav Thackeray, was invalidated when Bharat Gogawale replaced Prabhu as the whip for the Shinde faction. This ruling diverged from the Supreme Court’s earlier decision, creating a unique legal dynamic.
Conclusion
In a ruling that has shaken Maharashtra’s political landscape, Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision has brought a semblance of clarity to the Shiv Sena power struggle. As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to the Supreme Court, where Uddhav Thackeray intends to challenge the ruling. The implications of this verdict extend beyond the Shiv Sena, potentially shaping the trajectory of internal party conflicts in the future. For more updates on this evolving political saga and other trending topics, stay tuned to Fresh and Trending