NCP MLAs Disqualification Highlights: Speaker Narwekar Rejects Disqualification Bid By Sharad Pawar Faction Against Ajit

NCP MLAs Disqualification Highlights: Follow this live blog for updates from the Maharashtra Assembly, where Speaker Rahul Narwekar is set to announce his verdict on the disqualification of NCP MLAs.

Background

NCP MLAs Disqualification Highlights: Hello and welcome to this space brought to you by ABP Live. Follow this live blog for all the latest updates coming straight from the Maharashtra Assembly where Speaker Rahul Narwekar is all set to announce his verdict. The Maharashtra Assembly speaker is poised to announce his decision on Thursday (February 15) regarding the disqualification petitions lodged by the two factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as directed by the Supreme Court.Following the Election Commission of India's (ECI) verdict in favour of rebel leader Ajit Pawar, granting him the party name and symbol, the Sharad Pawar faction was permitted an independent identity for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, now known as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).Now faced with two distinct groups recognized by the ECI, the speaker is tasked with determining the validity of disqualification petitions filed against each other, with the potential consideration of recognizing the whip, akin to the Shiv Sena case.After the rebellion led by the Ajit Pawar group, which saw the swearing-in of nine ministers in July 2023, the Sharad Pawar faction filed disqualification petitions against all nine. Subsequently, two more disqualification petitions were filed against 20 and 11 MLAs. In September 2023, the Ajit Pawar group retaliated by filing disqualification petitions against 10 members of the Sharad Pawar group."At present, no whip has been issued since the separation of the two groups, indicating no disorderly conduct by any MLA. Additionally, the ECI has granted distinct identities to both sides. Moreover, disqualifying anyone would likely garner public sympathy. Considering these factors, disqualification petitions are anticipated to follow a similar path as the Shiv Sena case," stated a leader from NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).In its conclusive order on February 7, the ECI relied on the majority test within the party's legislative wing to resolve the dispute that emerged in July of the preceding year. According to the order, the total number of MPs, MLAs, and MLCs within the NCP was 81, with 57 supporting Ajit Pawar and 28 supporting Sharad Pawar. However, five MLAs and one Lok Sabha MP submitted affidavits supporting both factions. Even excluding these six, Ajit Pawar's faction maintained majority support, as per the order.In the case of Shiv Sena, Narwekar had determined that the faction led by Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde represented the authentic Shiv Sena, rejecting disqualification petitions filed by both sides against each other.

15/02/2024 18:54:45

'Turning Democracy Into A Joke': Aaditya Thackeray Criticises Speaker's Ruling

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray takes to X (formerly Twitter), slamming Speaker Rahul Narwekar's decision, suggesting it turns democracy and constitutional values into a stand-up comedy act.

15/02/2024 18:37:07

NCP (Ajit Pawar Faction) Erupts In Celebration As Speaker Declares Them 'Real NCP'

Joyous scenes unfold at the NCP (Ajit Pawar Faction) office in Mumbai as Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's ruling designates them as the "real NCP".

15/02/2024 18:10:00

Speaker Narwekar Upholds Democratic Dissent In NCP

Speaker Rahul Narwekar maintained that the 10th Schedule cannot be exploited to suppress dissent, and declares no disqualification for NCP MLAs from both factions, affirming Ajit Pawar's faction as the genuine NCP with 41 MLAs, while emphasising that dissent within a party does not constitute defection.

15/02/2024 17:52:52

Speaker Narwekar Rejects Disqualification Bid By Sharad Pawar Faction Against Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar dismisses the disqualification application, ruling that the actions and statements of Ajit Pawar and others between June 30th and July 2nd last year were characterized as intra-party dissent, not defection.

15/02/2024 17:47:40

Maharashtra Speaker Rules Ajit Pawar Faction Members Ineligible For Disqualification

The Maharashtra Speaker determines that members of the Ajit Pawar faction cannot be subjected to disqualification. "Ajit Pawar faction members (respondents) cannot be held to disqualification," he said. 

15/02/2024 17:43:33

Maharashtra Speaker Dismisses Group 1 Disqualification Petitions

The Maharashtra Speaker has dismissed the Group 1 disqualification petitions.

15/02/2024 17:40:11

It is upon the Ajit Pawar faction to decide upon the disqualification petitions. In my view, petitioner should not use 10th schedule to crush opposition. The 10th schedule should not be used to impose interparty discipline

15/02/2024 17:37:54

'Every Split Not A Case Of Defection', Says Maharashtra Assembly Speaker

While pronouncing the verdict on the disqualification pleas of NCP MLAs, the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker said: "Dissent is not defection, and not every split is a case of defection". 

15/02/2024 17:31:17

Going against the will of Shri Sharad Pawar cannot be considered as defection

15/02/2024 17:24:10

Speaker Affirms Ajit Pawar's Legislative Majority, Declares His Faction As 'Real' NCP

The speaker acknowledged Ajit Pawar's support with 41 MLAs, solidifying his faction's legitimacy as the true NCP in the ongoing disqualification proceedings.

15/02/2024 17:22:09

I hold that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP

15/02/2024 17:17:35

The NCP constitution, read with the NCP rules, provides that the President (of the party) shall preside over the national convention, national committee and the working committee, and shall have overall control over the working of the party

15/02/2024 17:11:49

Maharashtra Speaker Narwekar Clarifies: No Dispute On NCP Constitution In Faction Disqualification Case

Speaker Rahul Narwekar said that both NCP factions rely on Annexure R-1 and R-2, clarifying the absence of disputes over the party's constitution in his verdict on the disqualification petitions.

15/02/2024 17:09:25

Maharashtra Speaker Pronounces Verdict On Petitions As Per Supreme Court Directives

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar delivers verdict on the disqualification petitions filed by the two NCP factions against each other, following the directions given by the Supreme Court.

15/02/2024 16:53:41

Feels A Lot Of Pain When People With Other Ideologies Made To Sit In Front Row: Supriya Sule

NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule told news agency ANI, "I feel a lot of pain for the people from the BJP who for the last three-four decades worked hard in the party, who have slaved for the party, who have fought for the party, who have fought for the ideology, and who have served with full honesty and integrity, are left behind. People with other ideologies are welcomed and made to sit in the first row. Very unfortunate. I genuinely feel for the pain of the BJP cadre, who I feel is genuinely an honest cadre."

15/02/2024 16:47:16

'No Backtracking On Decision To Join NDA': NCP's Ajit Pawar Faction Ahead Of Speaker's Verdict

In anticipation of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's impending decision on Thursday regarding the petitions filed by rival factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the group led by Ajit Pawar asserted that the party won't backtrack from their decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Read the full report here. 

15/02/2024 16:42:11

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar To Pronounce His Verdict Today

On Thursday, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar will deliver his verdict on the disqualification petitions filed by two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions.