MVA, guv may tussle over Speaker election
MUMBAI: Uddhav Thackerayled Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari may engage in another tussle over the Speaker election, as the latter is yet to clear the poll.
On Sunday, senior leaders from MVA reached Raj Bhavan and requested Koshyari to approve the recommendation made by the state cabinet. Koshyari, according to MVA leaders, sought some time to take the decision.
On Thursday, the state cabinet decided to hold the election for the Assembly Speaker position on December 28. The nominations are expected to be called on December 27, according to the cabinet decision, which was recommended to the governor on Friday.
On Sunday, the state urban development minister Eknath Shinde, revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat and food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal met Koshyari in the evening. The governor will have to approve the recommendation made by the state cabinet and confirm the dates, which then will be declared in the assembly, the officials said.
The state government has amended the rules for the Speaker’s election by allowing open voting instead of secret ballot, which was approved in the state assembly. It was done as MVA was wary of cross-voting by its legislators. This will eliminate chances of sabotage as legislators who vote against the party whip will stand to face disciplinary action and will get disqualified.
The opposition BJP has expressed unhappiness saying the government is resorting to such measures since it is not sure about its MLA’S support.
Leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis opposed the change in polling rules. The opposition has also demanded revoking the suspension of their 12 legislators before the Speaker election. “The decision of governor’s powers and speaker election will be taken by the governor but we have objected to the changes as they are not Constitutional. Taking all the powers and giving them to the executive of the legislature, is not right, thus, we have opposed the move,” Fadnavis said.