Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar addressed concerns regarding the disqualification pleas filed by certain Shiv Sena MLAs. He made it clear that while he would not unnecessarily delay the decision, he also wouldn’t rush into it, as doing so could result in a “miscarriage of justice.”
Speaking to reporters aboard the luxury Deccan Odyssey train, Narwekar underscored his commitment to making a constitutional decision regarding the disqualification pleas. He stated, “Regarding the disqualification pleas, I can only say I won’t delay it nor will there be any kind of hurry that could result in miscarriage of justice.”
The rift within the Shiv Sena became apparent in June of the previous year when a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde unfolded. Shinde ultimately assumed the role of chief minister with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray lodged pleas seeking the disqualification of several MLAs, including Shinde, under anti-defection laws. The Supreme Court, on May 11, had directed the Assembly speaker to arrive at a decision on the disqualification pleas within a reasonable timeframe. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has expressed concerns that Narwekar has been intentionally delaying his decision on the disqualification pleas.
Narwekar clarified that his visit to Delhi had been pre-planned to attend certain meetings. During his visit, he, along with state minister Girish Mahajan, inspected the Deccan Odyssey, which is being relaunched after a four-year hiatus, and flagged it off for its inaugural run from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Panvel.
Mahajan highlighted the historical significance of the train, originally launched by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004, and how it has catered to tourists from various countries over the years. According to officials from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the train is set to commence its first commercial journey from Mumbai to Delhi on September 23, with more than 20 seats already booked, signaling a promising restart for this iconic travel experience.
