Days after the Supreme Court directed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to spell out the timeline for adjudication of the disqualification petitions filed against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Sena MLAs within a week, Mr. Narwekar on September 25 initiated the hearing and decided to conduct the official hearing on October 13.
The Shiv Sena split in June last year following a rebellion by Mr. Shinde, who went on to become CM after unseating the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The Thackeray faction subsequently sought the disqualification of several MLAs, including Mr. Shinde, citing anti-defection laws.
“Following extensive arguments from both the factions, the Speaker has announced the official hearing date for the disqualification petitions against Shiv Sena MLAs,” Advocate Anil Sakhare, representing the Chief Minister said.
