Maharashtra Speaker Verdict Highlights: Shinde-led faction is real Shiv Sena as per ECI records: Narwekar

Aaditya Thackeray said in a post on X, “Never seen a more shameless verdict of the tribunal that has murdered democracy. It is evident that the regime of gaddars (traitors) are against the constitution given to us by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. They want to re-write the constitution to finish democracy.Today the verdict has officially killed democracy in our state and the principles and pillars of the constitution.”

“We will fight to restore democracy and to protect the nation’s Constitution given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. This verdict wasn’t only about Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.This is about our country’s constitution and democracy. We hope the Hon’ble Supreme Court will ensure that there will be protection for the Constitution and Democracy, against this disgraceful political fixed game,” he added.

#WATCH | Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray says, “We will go among the people…We have been going among the people & we will fight together along with the people of the state…” pic.twitter.com/WJweypm76S

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2024

On Wednesday, the Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar pronounced his verdict in the Sena vs Sena matter where he had to decide which faction is the real, the legitimate Shiv Sena. Narwekar declared that Eknath Shinde faction had the legislative majority when the rival factions emerged, so Shinde faction is the real Shiv Sena.

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Following Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision declaring the Eknath Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi told PTI, “The decision doesn’t come as a surprise. Today’s decision by the Speaker goes against the spirit of the Supreme Court order eight months back.”

VIDEO | Visuals of #EknathShinde faction celebrating at Balasaheb Bhavan in Mumbai after Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar declares Eknath Shinde-led faction as real Shiv Sena. pic.twitter.com/t3yRyP5Hxg

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 10, 2024

Narwekar added, “The 2018 leadership structure was not in conformity with the constitution of the Shiv Sena (of 1999 which is relied upon). This leadership structure can not be taken as the yardstick to determine which faction is a real Shiv Sena political party.”

Narwekar said, “In view of the evidence and records before me, prima facie indicates that no elections were held in the year 2013, as well as in the year 2018.” Rahul Narwekar said, “Thus, given the above conclusions, I find that the leadership structure of Shiv Sena reflected in the letter dated February 27,  2018 available on the website of the ECI is the relevant leadership structure which has to be taken into account for the purpose of determining which faction is the real political party.”

Rahul Narwekar added, “The constitution of Shiv Sena provided by ECI is the relevant constitution of Shiv Sena for the determination of which faction is the real political party.”

As per ANI Narwekar added, “The 2018 amended constitution of Shiv Sena cannot be considered as valid as it’s not in the records of the Election Commission of India. As per Supreme Court orders, I can not delve into any other factor on which the constitution is valid. As per records, I am relying on the 1999 constitution of Shiv Sena as the valid constitution.”

Pronouncing the verdict Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said, “There is no consensus on the constitution submitted by both the parties (two factions of Shiv Sena) to the EC. The two parties have different points of views on leadership structure. The only aspect is the majority in the legislature party. I will have to decide the relevant constitution to be taken into account to the leadership structure that existed before the dispute.”

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pronounces verdict in Shiv Sena MLAs’ disqualification case pic.twitter.com/KgW7k1W2Kg

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2024

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar starts delivering his order on Shiv Sena MLAs’ disqualification petitions. 

In June 2022, Shinde and several MLAs rebelled against the then-chief minister Thackeray, leading to a split in the Shiv Sena and fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which also comprised the NCP and the Congress.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray says, “The judge is going to meet the accused, if the constitutional decision is taken then 40 MLAs will be disqualified. The government is trying to suppress the voices of those who are not in power.”