The Maharashtra government is in disarray as a result of Eknath Shinde and numerous Shiv Sena MLAs camping out at a hotel in Assam. The Deputy Speaker will mediate the continuing conflict because the Governor is indisposed and the Assembly lacks a full-time Speaker.
When state Governor BS Koshyari is indisposed and the Legislative Assembly is operating without a full-time Speaker, the unrest in Maharashtra has risen at a poignant time. In any political crisis, like the one Maharashtra is currently experiencing, the Governor and the Assembly Speaker serve as the last arbiters.
Following a positive Covid test, Governor Koshyari was admitted to the hospital. The Goa governor might also be placed in the hot seat to handle the Maharashtra crisis.
After the coalition took office in 2019, the MVA administration appointed Congressman Nana Patole as the Assembly Speaker. However, tribal leader and NCP legislator Narhari Zirwal was elected without opposition as Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2020 after Patole quit after being selected as the Congress state chairman.
Former minister and BJP candidate Dr. Ashok Uike withdrew his name from consideration. The NCP had taken up the position of Deputy Speaker at the time when it shared power with the Congress and the Shiv Sena, while the Congress held the position of Assembly Speaker.
In the coming days, Zirwal’s involvement will be crucial. Eknath Shinde’s breakaway Shiv Sena party claims to have more than 37 Sena MLAs, which would be enough to defeat the anti-defection law. Shinde may approach the Deputy Speaker, who has the same powers as a Speaker, if Uddhav Thackeray rejects his demand that he rejoin Hindutva and the BJP. Given that his organisation has more MLAs in the Assembly than those supporting Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde may petition for recognition as the true Shiv Sena.
The Sena is currently creating the spectre of dissolving the state Assembly to frighten the rebels with the possibility of a mid-term election through its visible faces, including Sanjay Raut. Sources claim that the dissolution of the Assembly was not considered at the recently finished cabinet meeting.
The state governor is not anticipated to quickly accept the demand, according to sources, even if the state government pushes a recommendation to dissolve the House, alleging the government’s numbers are questionable. Additionally, the Shinde faction may contact the Governor and restate that the Uddhav government does not have the backing of the majority in order to prevent collapse. The numbers game will then begin, and the Governor will now have the initiative.
The NCP has hinted sufficiently enough that it opposes mid-term elections in the meantime. If the NCP member Zirwal, the current deputy speaker, fulfils this party line, it would be game on.
Only if Deputy Speaker Zirwal plays for the MVA and not the NCP will Uddhav Thackeray be able to defeat Shinde and the BJP’s strategies.
The Uddhav-led Shiv Sena will be thrown into a deeper turmoil if the NCP pulls a surprise and supports Shinde’s side through its Deputy Speaker. With the support of the BJP, Shinde might transition from being a kingmaker to a contender for the crown.
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