The political turmoil in Maharashtra continues to escalate as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, takes its fight for party control to the Supreme Court. The NCP has approached the highest court seeking directives to Maharashtra Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, urging him to take action against the MLAs who have shifted their loyalty to Ajit Pawar, causing a split within the party.
The core issue at hand revolves around the defection of MLAs who aligned themselves with Ajit Pawar, leading to his inclusion in the coalition government as the deputy chief minister. In response, the NCP has filed disqualification petitions against 40 MLAs for alleged anti-party activities. As the legal battle intensifies, the Supreme Court is expected to hear the petition on Monday, setting the stage for a crucial showdown.
The move by the NCP comes amid a parallel development involving the Election Commission, which has initiated proceedings to address Ajit Pawar’s petition. He is staking a claim to the party’s name and its election symbol, a significant move that could further complicate the party’s already convoluted internal dynamics.
The NCP’s legal strategy aims to compel the Maharashtra Assembly speaker to expedite the disposal of the disqualification cases filed against the defecting MLAs. The party is emphasizing the urgency of the matter, particularly in light of recent Supreme Court remarks directing the speaker to establish a timeline within a week for adjudicating disqualification petitions against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other MLAs who split from the Shiv Sena to form a new government in alliance with the BJP in June 2022.
The NCP has filed a total of three disqualification petitions targeting rebel MLAs. The party’s objective is to expedite the cases, considering the possibility of an unfavorable decision by the speaker. This strategy would enable them to approach the Supreme Court promptly if the speaker’s ruling goes against them.
In response to the NCP’s legal maneuvers, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the party has also filed a caveat before the Supreme Court. This defensive move signals their readiness to counter any legal action taken by the rival faction. While both sides brace for a legal battle, the outcome remains uncertain, with the political landscape in Maharashtra hanging in the balance.
The battle for control of the NCP is emblematic of the broader political landscape in Maharashtra, where shifting alliances and internal disputes continue to shape the state’s political future. As the legal proceedings progress, the fate of the NCP and its role in the state’s politics will be closely watched by observers and stakeholders alike.
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