SC asks assembly speaker not to proceed with disqualification plea of Sena MLAs of Uddhav faction

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the newly appointed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker not to go ahead with proceedings in disqualification petitions filed by Shiv Sena against rebel leaders Eknath Shinde and others in view of pendency of the matter before it.

The top court had earlier extended time given by the deputy speaker to dissident Shiv Sena MLAs to reply to disqualification notices issued to them, till July 12.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, mentioned the matter before a bench presided over by Chief Justice N V Ramana.

Sibal said the disqualification plea is listed on Tuesday before the Speaker, and it should not be decided till the top court heard the matter.

The CJI told Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra governor, "Please inform the assembly speaker not to take any decision ……Let us see, we’ll hear the matter".

On Sibal's ples for urgent hearing in the matter, the bench said the listing of the matter will take some time, as a bench needs to be finalised.

The top court is seized of two petitions one by Shinde and another by other Shiv Sena dissidents challenging disqualification proceedings and appointment of chief whip and Legislature Party leader.

Separate pleas were also filed against the Governor's decision to convene the House for floor test and invite Shinde to be sworn in as Chief Minister of the state.