Amid the ongoing hearing of the disqualification pleas of the Shiv Sena MLAs, Speaker Rahul Narwekar said on Monday that he is taking all the efforts to adjudicate the petitions within the stipulated time given by the Supreme Court. Narwekar also said that he will ensure that principles of natural justice are followed and that the rules of the legislative assembly cannot be violated during the process.
Narwekar told mediapersons in Sindhudurg “I have planned to complete the hearings and adjudicate the petitions within the time frame given by the apex court. I am taking care not to affect the principles of natural justice. I will decide on the disqualification of (Shiv Sena) MLAs at an appropriate time.” Setting the timeline, the Supreme Court had last month directed Narwekar to adjudicate disqualification petitions of rebel Sena MLAs by December 31.
The apex court had come down heavily on Narwekar over the delay in adjudication of the petition against Shinde-led Sena MLAs, saying the Speaker cannot defeat the orders of the top court. Dismissing Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut’s allegation over the “instability” of the state government, Narwekar said that the government has already achieved the magic figure of majority in the Assembly.
Narwekar also slammed Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray over his comments on violating anti-defection laws, stating that it is the Speaker who will decide whether there has been a violation of the anti-defection law and not Aaditya Thackeray.
“The Assembly Speaker will decide whether or not there has been any violation of the anti-defection laws. Thackeray should not make any comments about it. If the violation has taken place, I will make an appropriate decision. I can assure the people of the state that I will not take any wrong decisions,” he told the media. Meanwhile, Narwekar will resume the hearing of the disqualification on Tuesday, during which Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu’s cross-examination by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s lawyer will continue.
