Maharashtra pol crisis: SC to hear pleas on Nov 29

New Delhi, Nov 1: The Supreme Court will hear a batch of pleas on the Maharashtra political crisis filed by the Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde on November 29, when it is likely to issue some directions.
A five-judge bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha on Tuesday asked both the parties to file their written submissions and a joint compilation on the issues to be adjudicated by the constitution bench.
The bench said, “It has been agreed by the counsels of both the parties that they will meet and formulate the issues which arise for considerations and deciding the reference before the constitution bench. List the matter on November 29 for directions.” On August 23, a three-judge bench of the top court headed by then chief justice N V Ramana had formulated several questions of law and referred to a five-judge bench the petitions filed by the factions raising several constitutional questions related to defection, merger and disqualification.
The top court had ordered the listing of petitions before the constitution bench and directed the Election Commission not to pass any orders on the Shinde faction’s plea that it be considered the real Shiv Sena and granted the party’s poll symbol.
It had said the batch of petitions raise important constitutional issues relating to the 10th schedule of the Constitution pertaining to disqualification, power of the Speaker and Governor and judicial review. (PTI)