Mumbai News Highlights: Maha Assembly Speaker says Ajit Pawar faction is real NCP, dismisses disqualification pleas against both sides (2024)

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker described his order recognising the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction as the real party as tenable, sustainable, and based on the principles established by the Supreme Court.

Narwekar said all the guidelines laid down by the apex court were adhered to. “A reasoned and justifiable order has been delivered today. This verdict is tenable, sustainable and justified. It has been given on the basis of the sound principles established in accordance with the guidelines given by the apex court and disqualification rules,” Narwekar said.

Reacting to the criticism by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP group and Shiv Sena (UBT), Narwekar said those who don't know about the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with anti-defection provisions, can make such a statement.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, quota activist Manoj Jarange and Mathadi leader Narendra Patil will be conferred the ‘Maratha Bhushan' this year, the organisers said. The award is given every year to prominent personalities from the Maratha community.

Shinde, Jarange and Patil will be conferred the award in Thane on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti on February 19. Quota activist Jarange, who is currently on an indefinite fast at his village in Jalna district, will be honoured with the award online.

The Enforcement Directorate told the Bombay High Court it would not arrest Sameer Wankhede, former zonal director of Mumbai unit of Narcotics Control Bureau, in a money laundering case till February 20. Wankhede last week filed a petition in the HC seeking to quash the case lodged by the ED and, by way of an interim order, stay on the probe and protection from any coercive action.

A division bench of Justices PD Naik and NR Borkar said due to paucity of time on Thursday and Friday and as courts are not working on Monday (February 19) it would not be able to hear the plea until Tuesday (February 20). The bench said the matter needs to be heard at length and asked advocate Sandesh Patil, appearing for the ED, to state if the agency intends to arrest Wankhede until then.

Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision not to disqualify MLAs from either faction of the Shiv Sena is likely to prove beneficial for the BJP, especially in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Sources say the BJP would have found itself in a tough spot had Narwekar disqualified legislators of any of the two – Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) – factions as it would have lost the perception battle just ahead of the polls.

Read more here

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar dismissed disqualification petitions against Ajit Pawar faction's MLAs.

"It appears that initiation of proceedings is not to prevent maverick disqualification but to suppress dissent within party.There is an attempt to open new directions in tussle for power to suit private objectives of individuals in party," he said.

Rejecting Sharad Pawar faction's submission that legislative majority cannot be taken into factor to decide preliminary issue cannot be accepted and hence rejected, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said the Ajit Pawar faction has 41 out of 53 MLAs.

He further added that the assertion by Ajit Pawar faction's that they have legislative majority in Maharashtra, Nagaland was not disputed by the Sharad Pawar faction. "I hold that Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP political party for the purpose of deciding petitions," Narwekar said.

Here is what the Speaker said while delivering the NCP verdict:

"It is a matter of fact that till June 29, 2023 there had been no contemporaneous challenge to the leadership of Sharad Pawar, which was sought to be altered through a resolution of June 30 by Ajit Pawar faction. Therefore, two claims existed on June 30, 2023 when two rival factions emerged."

"Whether rival NCP elections were keeping in constitution and rules. Whether Sharad Pawar were validly elected or if Sharad Pawar resigned at relevant time, I posses no jurisdiction on this. I cannot go into this inquiry. It cannot be basis to determine preliminary issue."

"Petitioners submitted that in a national committee, Sharad Pawar enjoyed majority support. But it did not provide supporting evidence. Such claims cannot be adjudicated and parties had to initiate relevant proceedings before concerned authority. I hold that leadership structure cannot be taken into account to determine preliminary issue (real political party) as it will be an impossible attempt."

Reading out the verdict on disqualification pleas filed against NCP MLAs, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said the Supreme Court judgement was somewhat similar in Shiv Sena case. "It set a precedent for the Speaker to decide which is the real political party for the purpose of adjudicating disqualification petitions. The other issue is whether the respondents incurred disqualification on account of their alleged acts of omissions or conduct," he said.

He further mentioned that the apex court had laid down the folloiwng factors to decide which is the real political party - Constitution of political party, Leadership structure and Legislative majority.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar began reading the order on NCP MLA disqualification, on the day set as a deadline by the Supreme Court.

The disqualification petitions filed by the two NCP factions against each other, following the party split led by now Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.While the Election Commission of India (ECI) gave its verdict in favour of rebel Ajit Pawar and handed him the party name as well as the symbol, it also allowed the Sharad Pawar faction to have an independent identity for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

With two different groups recognised by the ECI, the speaker is now tasked with deciding on the disqualification petitions filed against each other, where he may also recognise the whip — as was the situation in the Shiv Sena case.

#WATCH | Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora in Mumbai says, "I want to express gratitude towards Eknath Shinde ji. I will work honestly to fulfil the expectations of the party." pic.twitter.com/UcBRpsweP9

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024

#WATCH | Mumbai: On Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) nominating Milind Deora for Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, "All candidates of the Mahayuti will be victorious. We have an absolute majority. These elections can be unopposed too... Milind Deora is an honest… pic.twitter.com/bbfNfC0Bmi

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024

#WATCH | Mumbai: BJP leader Medha Kulkarni files nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections. pic.twitter.com/CwW61HWZTy

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024

The NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the electoral bonds scheme, claiming it favored the ruling BJP and lacked transparency.

The spokesperson, Clyde Crasto, asserted that the scheme allowed for potential quid pro quo arrangements between donors and political parties.

The SC ruled the scheme unconstitutional, citing violations of the right to information and freedom of speech. Additionally, the court ordered the disclosure of contributors' names to the Election Commission. (PTI)

School bus operators in Maharashtra oppose the state government's decision to start classes for pre-primary to IV grades at 9 am, citing potential difficulties and increased costs due to traffic delays.

The government's move follows Governor Ramesh Bais expressing a preference for later start times.

The opposition argues that the new timing will cause buses to get stuck in peak hour traffic, leading to delays and increased operational costs.

The government has mandated all schools to adjust their timings accordingly, with classes beginning at 9 am and ending at 2 pm.

#WATCH | Mumbai: BJP leader Ashok Chavan offers prayers at the Siddhivinayak Temple before filing his nomination for the Rajya Sabha.

Source: Siddhivinayak Temple pic.twitter.com/m1uSswlsEm

— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024

Former Maharashtra minister Baban Gholap resigned from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday, ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

Gholap, who represented the Nashik Road-Deolali assembly constituency for five consecutive terms, had in September last year resigned as the deputy leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) but it was not accepted

In a one-line letter to Thackeray on Thursday, Gholap said he has resigned from the post of 'Shiv Sainik'. He posted the letter on X.

He has not yet disclosed plans about his future political journey.

Gholap was apparently unhappy over being removed as the party's liaison chief for the Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency last year and former MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure joining the Sena (UBT). (PTI)

The Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to explain why the MSRDC had not transferred possession of land for a Muslim burial ground in Bandra (West) despite it being earmarked for that purpose.

This came during a PIL filed by Mohammed Furqan Mohammed Ali Qureshi. The BMC stated that despite requests, the possession hadn't been handed over.

The petitioner alleged the MSRDC had issued a tender notice for the site's redevelopment, but the court sought clarity on which site was involved. The case will be heard again on February 22.

Manoj Jarange, a quota activist, plans to travel to Mumbai on February 18 or 19 to push for the Maharashtra government's draft notification on including 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into law.

This decision follows the government's announcement of a special session on February 20 to discuss Maratha community reservations. Jarange's health has worsened during his sixth day of indefinite fasting in Jalna district.

He insists on the implementation of the draft notification. Kishor Markad, monitoring Jarange's health, urges government representatives to engage with him.

Jarange expressed discontent over receiving IV fluids without consent and threatens further protest unless Maratha reservation is implemented.

This marks his fourth hunger strike in under a year, emphasizing the urgency for legislative action on Maratha community inclusion in the OBC category. (PTI)

Two months after the Bombay High Court quashed a‘benami assets’ complaint filed in 2021along with proceedings initiated against Maharashtra Minister and Ajit Pawar faction NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj, and nephew Sameer Bhujbal and their firms, the special court on Monday closed the case.

“In view of the order passed by Bombay High Court, the proceedings in the case closed and dropped off,” the special court for criminal cases involving MLAs and MPs noted on February 12.

A single-judge bench of Justice Rajesh N Laddha of the Bombay High Court on December 8, 2023, had quashed the complaint. Read Here

VIDEO | BJP leader Ashok Chavan leaves from his residence in Mumbai. He will file his nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra later today.

"I will offer prayers at the Siddhivinayak Temple before filing my nomination," Chavan said.… pic.twitter.com/UAa95jIpsq

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 15, 2024

The ‘Loksatta District Index’ report, which has been prepared by evaluating the social, economic and infrastructural development of districts of the state in a scientific manner, will be unveiled on Thursday in Mumbai. The report will be unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ananth Nageswaran, India’s Chief Economic Adviser.

The districts which have performed significantly in the district index will be honored at the event.

Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd is the main sponsor of ‘Loksatta District Index’ and is ‘powered by partners’ Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and CIDCO. The ‘knowledge partner’ is Gokhale Institute,Pune. Read More

Husband’s provision of time and financial support to his mother does not constitute domestic violence, a local court has said.

The court’s decision came as it rejected a plea of a 43-year-old woman seeking action against her husband and his relatives under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

With the stock in the seven lakes which supply water to Mumbai dipping below 50 per cent, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to announcea 10 per cent water cutacross the city as early as February end. On Tuesday, the lake levels dropped to 49.37 per cent of its total capacity, which is the lowest in the past three years.

According to P Velrasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), the water cut will come into force by month end if the BMC’s request to the irrigation department for allocation of more potable water does not evoke a positive response.

Eknath Shinde extends heartfelt condolences and gratitude to the martyred soldiers who achieved heroism in Pulwama attack.

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— Eknath Shinde - ????? ????? (@mieknathshinde) February 14, 2024

In Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, a 30-year-old labor contractor was allegedly killed by six individuals following a dispute over a 'Mathadi' site for headload workers.

The victim and one of the accused had previously been friends during their time in prison but later had a falling out over the site in Mankhurd, Mumbai.

The situation escalated on February 9 when the victim and his wife were threatened near a lake. On Tuesday, the accused and five others intercepted the victim and his wife while they were returning home with their child.

They attacked the couple with iron rods and sharp weapons, resulting in the man's death and serious injuries to his wife.

A case has been registered against the six suspects under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, and Maharashtra Police Act, including charges of murder and attempted murder. However, no arrests have been made yet, and an investigation is ongoing.