Speaker Affirms: Eknath Shinde Faction Declared the Original Shiv Sena Amidst Intra-Party Turmoil

In a significant ruling, Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar declared the Eknath Shinde faction as the authentic Shiv Sena, dismissing disqualification petitions filed by rival factions. The verdict addressed the power struggle within the party that surfaced in June 2022, with Narwekar emphasizing the majority support of the Shinde faction.

"Shinde faction had an overwhelming majority of 37 of 55 MLAs when rival factions emerged. Sunil Prabhu ceased to be the duly whip of the party since the rival faction emerged. Bharat Gogavale was validly appointed as whip of Shiv Sena Party and Eknath Shinde validly appointed as leader of the party," stated Speaker Narwekar.

The ruling extended to invalidating the appointment of Sunil Prabhu as whip, emphasizing the Shinde faction's majority. Narwekar rejected the disqualification petitions filed against 40 members of the Shinde faction, citing procedural irregularities in the meeting called by the rival faction's whip.

"A perusal of the WhatsApp message shows that the said message was sent at 12.31 am for a meeting scheduled at 12.30 pm. None of the Shinde faction members were ever served the notice of the meeting," clarified the Speaker.

Narwekar highlighted that non-attendance at party meetings and expressing dissent within the party are protected under freedom of speech and expression. He underscored that such actions do not warrant disqualification, dismissing the allegations against the Shinde faction.

The legal tussle unfolded through 34 petitions filed by rival factions of Shiv Sena, seeking the disqualification of 54 Assembly members. The split in the party occurred in June 2022, leading to a contentious battle for legitimacy. The Speaker's decision aligns with the Constitutional Bench's directive, emphasizing the Speaker's role in deciding disqualification petitions promptly.

The ruling provides clarity amidst political turbulence, solidifying Eknath Shinde's faction as the recognized Shiv Sena within the Maharashtra Assembly.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University