Maha speaker's boost for Ajit Pawar in NCP vs NCP
Hindustan Times|February 16, 2024
Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled on Thursday that deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's party was the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and turned down demands to disqualify either faction's lawmakers, marking a victory for the state's ruling coalition just months ahead of general elections.
Faisal Malik
Maha speaker's boost for Ajit Pawar in NCP vs NCP

The decision which came weeks after the Election Commission of India also ruled against NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar - is another jolt to the senior leader. Narwekar held that the test of legislative majority was decided in favour of Ajit Pawar after the other two grounds-party constitution and leadership structure -were found to be inconclusive.

The decision was similar to Narwekar's ruling in the Sena vs Sena case in January, where he also found in favour of chief minister Eknath Shinde but refused to disqualify lawmakers of either faction. The battle for both regional behemoths, the Sena and the NCP, is now likely to be decided in the Supreme Court.

"...I hold that the preliminary issue as to which faction is the real political party is discernible from the legislative majority, which existed when the rival factions emerged. Further I hold that the Ajit Pawar faction had an overwhelming legislative majority when the rival factions emerged," Narwekar said in a 22-page ruling.

The speaker who had been asked by the apex court to announce his decision by February 15- dismissed disqualification petitions filed by either faction, saying that the grounds mentioned did not fall under the jurisdiction of the 10th schedule of the Constitution that deals with the defection of elected representatives.

He, however, decided to reserve his verdict on the chief whip of the party, which is expected to come within a week.

The decision sparked a political controversy.

Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad called it a ridiculous judgment. "The assembly speaker Narwekar is playing the role of Dhritarashtra and has become shameless," he said.

This story is from the February 16, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 16, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMESView All
Backing queer love stories in cinema is liberating: Onir
Hindustan Times

Backing queer love stories in cinema is liberating: Onir

Filmmaker Onir's latest project, We Are Faheem and Karun, is a queer love story set against the backdrop of Gurez, Jammu and Kashmir.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Terence Lewis reveals why Saroj Khan, Farah Khan were 'more aggressive' than male choreographers
Hindustan Times

Terence Lewis reveals why Saroj Khan, Farah Khan were 'more aggressive' than male choreographers

When it comes to the field of choreography in Bollywood, there have been only a handful of women choreographers. Two names that instantly come to mind are the late choreographer Saroj Khan and choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Lucknow kids' reimagine Sabya's bridal collection; earn cheers from B'wood
Hindustan Times

Lucknow kids' reimagine Sabya's bridal collection; earn cheers from B'wood

Underprivileged kids from Lucknow reimagine Sabyasachi's bridal designs

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Zendaya and Anne Hathaway join Christopher Nolan's next
Hindustan Times

Zendaya and Anne Hathaway join Christopher Nolan's next

Hollywood actors Zendaya and Oscar winner Anne Hathaway are the latest additions to the cast of director Christopher Nolan's upcoming feature film.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
'Comedy is enjoyable but not easy to do'
Hindustan Times

'Comedy is enjoyable but not easy to do'

Actor Aftab Shivdasani has had a good run in comedy films, with notable performances in Hungama (2003), Masti (2004) and Deewane Huye Paagal (2005). So, it's no surprise that he is excited to return to the genre with Welcome To The Jungle.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
ARMAAN MALIK ON HIS THIRD EMA NOD: IT FEELS SURREAL
Hindustan Times

ARMAAN MALIK ON HIS THIRD EMA NOD: IT FEELS SURREAL

Singer-songwriter Armaan Malik is ecstatic that he has received a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) for his song Always with British singer Calum Scott in the Best India Act category.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
'A crossover between The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Real Housewives of NY is in the works'
Hindustan Times

'A crossover between The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Real Housewives of NY is in the works'

Reality TV star Jessel Taank, the first Indian to feature in The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), was in Mumbai recently. Talking about her weeklong visit, she shares, \"India's so exciting-economically and culturally - it's imploding. What drew me to India is the fact that I am labelled as the first Indian on RHONY and that's a big compliment. Yet, I feel a disconnect.\"

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Ricky Kej beams with joy after fourth Grammy nomination
Hindustan Times

Ricky Kej beams with joy after fourth Grammy nomination

Musician Ricky Kej is thrilled to receive his fourth Grammy nomination. Having won the prestigious award in 2015, 2022 and 2023, his excitement remains as palpable as his first nomination.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
A new innings begins for Athiya and Rahul
Hindustan Times

A new innings begins for Athiya and Rahul

Actor Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul are set to embrace parenthood in 2025, as they joyfully announced their pregnancy on Friday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Sonu Sood is the Brand Ambassador and Tourism Advisor for Thailand
Hindustan Times

Sonu Sood is the Brand Ambassador and Tourism Advisor for Thailand

Sonu Sood, already celebrated as both an actor and philanthropist, has added another prestigious title to his name: Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor for Thailand.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024