Sena vs Sena: Ahead of verdict, Thackeray chastises Speaker Narwekar’s private visit to CM Shinde

Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s verdict on the disqualification proceedings against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Shiv Sena MLAs will determine whether democracy was alive or not in this country, said Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on January 9 while criticising Mr. Narwekar’s recent visit to Mr. Shinde.

Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s verdict on the disqualification proceedings against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his Shiv Sena MLAs will determine whether democracy was alive or not in this country, said Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on January 9 while criticising Mr. Narwekar’s recent visit to Mr. Shinde.

Ahead of the much-anticipated verdict, Mr. Thackeray further cast aspersions on the ‘quality’ of Mr. Narwekar’s justice, remarking what hope was there “when the judge goes to visit the accused.” Mr. Narwekar is expected to read out the judgement in the Legislative Assembly after 4 p.m. on January 10.

“Since the SC’s direction to the Speaker to give a judgement on the disqualification case, Mr. Narwekar has twice met with CM Shinde in private. It is akin to the Judge meeting the accused. If he is doing that, then there is a serious question on what kind of justice can we expect,” Mr. Thackeray said, alluding to a meeting between Mr. Narwekar and CM Shinde on January 7.

Speaking to reporters at his residence ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai, he further accused the Speaker of procrastination and expressed apprehension that Mr. Narwekar could even drag the reading of the verdict on January 10 in a bid to seek a further extension in the case.

“The SC had directed the Speaker to give judgement within a reasonable time frame, Mr. Narwekar. It had given December 31 as the last date. But the manner in which the hearing has proceeded smacks of delaying tactics,” said Mr. Thackeray, who was CM of the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government before Mr. Shinde’s revolt had toppled the tripartite MVA in June 2022.

He informed that the Sena (UBT) had submitted an affidavit to the SC on the matter of the Speaker meeting with the CM.

“It is highly improper for the Speaker to meet Eknath Shinde three days before deciding on the disqualification petition. The Speaker is required to act in an impartial manner. However, the present act of the Speaker raises questions about his fairness and impartiality in the decision-making process. The present act of the Speaker is in violation of the legal maxim in that justice should not only be done, it should also be seen,” read the affidavit.