Sena vs Sena case: Maharashtra disqualification hearing not before October 13

The Maharashtra Speaker will hear the disqualification case against 16 Shiv Sena MLAs, including chief minister Eknath Shinde, on October 13 after a schedule is made on the hearings.

The Uddhav group on Monday argued that there was no need for any evidence as details of the case were clear and not disputed. The Shinde group has been seeking a separate hearing for each of the 16 MLAs. The Uddhav group has called it delaying tactics to ensure that the disqualification is delayed. The Speaker will on October 13 rule whether proceedings would be conducted as a group hearing or separate. The Supreme Court had last week had asked the Speaker to give his decision without delay.

"We have argued that the MLAs did not attend the party meeting called on 21st June. In the state assembly, too, the MLAs went against our party whip during vote. Both facts have not been contested by the other party (Shinde group). So, this is not under any dispute. Hence, we have argued that as per the Supreme Court directions, the Speaker should pronounce his verdict," Thackeray group leader Anil Desai told reporters after the day's hearing.


"There is no reason to gather evidence because the two violations fall under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and would attract a disqualification for going against the party whip."

Shinde group's lawyer Anil Sakhare argued that its views should be heard. "We have argued that any case cannot be decided without giving a hearing. This is against the principle of natural justice. We have to get copies and procedural issues have still not yet been completed," Sakhare told reporters after the hearing.