'Murder Of Democracy': Uddhav To Challenge Sena Verdict In Top Court, Says Speaker's Ruling 'Insult To...'

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray expressed determination to rally public support and condemns the Speaker's decision, calling it a "murder of democracy" and an "insult of the Supreme Court".

File Photo Of Uddhav Thackeray ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday denounced the Speaker's decision affirming the Shinde-led faction as the genuine Shiv Sena, describing it as a "murder of democracy" and a "blatant insult" to the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar issued his decision on the cross-petition filed by both Shiv Sena factions seeking the disqualification of each other's MLAs. In a setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp, he revealed that the faction led by Eknath Shinde was the true Shiv Sena. The former Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, split in 2022 after a rebellion by the Shinde group.

"We will go among the people...We have been going among the people & we will fight together along with the people of the state," Uddhav was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

#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

"The matter was of disqualification, and I think he (speaker Rahul Narvekar) didn’t understand his responsibilities. Supreme Court provided a framework to be followed and even accepted our nomination of Chief Whip. I think the decision was beyond his understanding. Now we will see if the tribunal is above Supreme Court,” Uddhav said, PTI quoted him as saying. 

Video | “The matter was of disqualification, and I think he (speaker Rahul Narvekar) didn’t understand his responsibilities. Supreme Court provided a framework to be followed and even accepted our nomination of Chief Whip. I think the decision was beyond his understanding. Now we… pic.twitter.com/SJlzbB66XF

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

Following the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker's decision, members of the UBT faction staged protests and announced their intent to contest the ruling in the apex court.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) protest against Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar after his Shinde faction the real Shiv Sena ruling.

UBT faction leaders have said that they will challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/ETV84XGcqQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2024

Speaking on the matter, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar stressed that while every citizen has the right to approach higher courts, mere allegations without legal substance won't invalidate the Speaker's decisions.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar says, "...Every citizen of India has the right to approach the Supreme Court & High Court. However, just because you approach the court does not mean that the order passed by the Speaker is overturned, you have to establish… pic.twitter.com/eUv1c6nLYF

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2024

Several political leaders including Ramdas Athawale, Deepak Kesarkar, Sharad Pawar, and Jitendra Awhad reacted to the ruling which came as a major setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp. Read the full report here. 

NCP Chief Pawar Says 'Speaker's Ruling Not Surprising, Uddhav Camp Has Good Case In SC'

The verdict of Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar in the Shiv Sena MLAs disqualification case, which favoured the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was "not at all surprising" but should be challenged in the Supreme Court by the rival group led by Uddhav Thackeray, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday, as per a report by PTI. 

In a huge relief to Shinde, Narwekar maintained that his Shiv Sena faction was the "real political party" when rival groups emerged in June 2022.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pawar, an ally of Shiv Sena (UBT) president Thackeray, said the verdict was "not at all surprising" and that all (Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents) expected it to be against the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the report said. 

The Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharad Pawar group) make up the opposition MVA.

"People in the government, including Chief Minister Shinde, had on several occasions spoken about what sort of decision would be coming and it shows they had an inkling about the verdict (going in their favour) and that assurance got reflected in their statements," Pawar was quoted as saying by PTI.