Narhari Zirwal, Deputy Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

Narhari Zirwal – the Deputy Speaker in Maharashtra Assembly – on Saturday (June 25) issued disqualification notice to 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs.

The MLAs, who are being led by Eknath Shinde, are currently staying at Guwahati in Assam. These MLAs are supposed to file their written replies by 5:30 pm on Monday (June 27).  If the MLAs are disqualified, Shinde will lose his legislator’s post and that, crucially, will see his revolt fail.

The Shiv Sena had moved the original notice against 12 rebel MLAs, including Shinde, late Thursday evening and added another four names on Friday.

This matter will not get over in Legislature only, it will go to the Judiciary. Such matters are brought to the High Court or Supreme Court on a special basis. A judicial review is demanded by the aggrieved in the court: Shrihari Aney, Former Advocate General of Maharashtra

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

If there is a failure of constitutional machinery, then the Governor can interfere. So far that situation has not arrived in Maharashtra. Dy Speaker functions as a Court depending upon the nature of request letters received from both the groups in Guwahati & Mumbai: Shrihari Aney pic.twitter.com/AhywhJ4U40

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

Mumbai | The disqualification of MLAs will be based on a legal argument. The Dy Speaker will have to grant them (rebel MLAs and Shiv Sena) a hearing before deciding on the disqualification of MLAs: Shrihari Aney, Former Advocate General of Maharashtra and Constitutional Expert pic.twitter.com/Srmxrawod0

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

Picture for representational purpose

The Mumbai Police on June 25 imposed Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the city, which disallows the gathering of five or more persons. The prohibitory orders will remain in force till July 10.

Owing to escalating tensions between Maharashtra’s ruling coalition partner Shiv Sena and its internal rebel group, earlier in the day, the police in neighbouring Thane district, which is a bastion of Shiv Sena’s rebel leader Eknath Shinde, imposed Section 144. The order in Thane will remain in force till June 30.

Also read: Eknath Shinde-led rebel group to call itself ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’

Yesterday Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s key aide and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut issued a warning to the rebel MLAs, suggesting that they would have to face the fury of party workers after returning to Mumbai.

He said: “Outside Maharashtra, you are eagles. But the people’s patience is wearing thin. Right now, Shiv Sainiks have not come out on the streets. If they do, the streets will be on fire.”

Eknath Shinde

Even as Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is seeking disqualification of its rebel MLAs from the assembly, the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde on Saturday (June 25) named their group as ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb.’

Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Keserkar said: “Our group will be called Shiv Sena Balasaheb. We will not merge with any party.” Kesarkar has also hinted at a possible alliance with the BJP. “We have only two options remaining in Maharashtra; to go with either the NCP-Congress or the BJP, otherwise the government cannot be formed. However, the question of allying with the BJP will be decided by Eknath Shinde. Whatever decision he takes, we will support it.”

Meanwhile Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan said: “Until it gets legal authorisation from the speaker, such type of groups will not be authorized.”