The new Maharashtra government under the leadership of rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is unlikely to get a smooth start as the scheduled election of the Speaker is being opposed by the Opposition Congress on the basis of Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s letter where he had said the election was not possible due to a pending case in court.
“We do not understand the urgency to call a special session of the Assembly on Sunday. Moreover, a case regarding the Speaker’s election is pending in the Supreme Court and when we were in the government, the Governor was telling us for months that since the matter is sub-judice, he cannot call the election of the Speaker. In that case, how can he allow the election now for the new government?” asked senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat.
On March 15, replying to the demand raised by then ruling Congress delegation to hold an election for the Speaker’s post, Mr. Koshyari’s office had replied, “In this regard, I am directed to inform you that since the matter is sub-judice, the date for election of the Speaker of the legislative Assembly cannot be fixed.”
