Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has stated that he will take appropriate action regarding the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) plea to disqualify Ajit Pawar and eight other party MLAs who have taken oaths as ministers in the Eknath Shinde-led government. NCP President Jayant Patil announced on Sunday that the party had filed a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and the others, adding that an email had been sent to the Election Commission of India to inform them of the party’s unity under the leadership of Sharad Pawar.
Narwekar confirmed that he has received the petition filed by Jayant Patil seeking the disqualification of the nine NCP MLAs. He stated that he will carefully read the petition, study the points mentioned, and take appropriate action accordingly. When asked about the number of NCP MLAs supporting Ajit Pawar, Narwekar said he was not aware of the exact figure.
He also added that it is within his jurisdiction to decide on the appointment of a new opposition leader in the Assembly. This comes after the NCP appointed Jitendra Awhad as the leader of opposition in the state Assembly following Ajit Pawar’s inclusion in the Eknath Shinde government as the deputy chief minister. Awhad, who represents Mumbra-Kalwa in Thane district, stated that NCP state unit president Jayant Patil had appointed him the chief whip of the party and the leader of opposition in the Assembly.
In conclusion, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has acknowledged receiving the disqualification petition filed by the NCP against Ajit Pawar and eight other party MLAs. He has assured that he will carefully review the petition’s contents before taking appropriate action. The decision to appoint a new opposition leader in the Assembly also rests with him.
