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A day before SC judgement, Narwekar leaves for London saying govt is stable
While speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Narwekar said, “After I became the speaker, this government succeeded in the floor test. Going by the numbers, we have the majority, regardless the apex court decision.”
PUNE As the Supreme Court is likely to give its verdict on the disqualification of 16 MLAs of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena today (on Thursday), Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday said the state government has the majority regardless the decision.
While speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Narwekar said, “After I became the speaker, this government succeeded in the floor test. Going by the numbers, we have the majority, regardless the apex court decision.”
Narwekar on Tuesday said a decision regarding the disqualification of MLAs is the prerogative of the legislative assembly speaker
Narwekar, whose role may become crucial post the judgement, will be on a three-day tour of the United Kingdom starting Wednesday evening.
He was in Pune on Wednesday to attend the 60th Foundation Day of Bharati Vidyapeeth said, “It is a scheduled visit and I am going on a foreign trip only for two-three days, not forever. The hearing or other functions will continue as scheduled.”
In the UK, Narwekar will attend the Ideas for Indian Conference, which has been organised by the Economic Policy Group. He will also interact with students at Cambridge University.
The apex court in March this year reserved its verdict on a batch of cross-petitions of Uddhav Thackeray and chief minister Eknath Shinde factions pertaining to last year’s political crisis in the state, including one seeking disqualification of 16 Shiv Sena MLAs (of Shinde’s party) who revolted against Thackeray’s leadership.
On being asked about his responsibility after the apex court verdict, Narwekar said, “As a speaker, my responsibility is crucial not just tomorrow but ever since I have taken the charge and I have been discharging my duty responsibly.”
According to Narwekar, the hearing of the case has been completed and the order is expected soon. “Whatever order, the apex court will give, all of us will respect it because those who believe in constitution and democracy also respect the institutions created by the constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Narhari Zirwal, Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker, expressed confidence saying the apex court judgement on Thursday will be in favour of what he had ordered nine months ago. “I had disqualified 16 MLAs and the SC will uphold the decision. I think the SC will rule in favour of decision on disqualification by the deputy speaker,” said Zirwal.
Last year in June, Zirwal had issued disqualification notice to the 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut criticised Narwekar’s recent meeting with Union law minister Kiren Rijiju. The meeting took place on May 2 at the speaker’s office in the council hall. “Did the law minister ask Narwekar to go on UK trip,” asked Raut.
