The Supreme Court’s directive to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar not to decide on the disqualification notices against the Shiv Sena MLAs till the court rules on them has evoked mixed reactions. The Shinde Camp welcomed the apex court’s ruling saying the points raised by the Thackeray faction have no meaning now.

Shinde Camp spokesman Deepak Kesarkar termed today’s apex court ruling as ‘’correct’’ and told the Free Press Journal, ‘’The ruling given by the apex court to the Assembly Speaker is worthy judgement. Shiv Sena had moved the Supreme Court against the Governor’s nod for trust vote but that issue is now over as Uddhav Thackeray has resigned already. Most of the issues raised by Thackeray faction have no meaning now.’’ He further noted that the Speaker has been elected.

‘’Whether it is a confidence motion or a disqualification, these are now settled. Everyone is relieved on the issue of disqualification with today’s ruling,’’ opined Kesarkar.

However, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, who is a close confidant of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, expressed displeasure over today’s order. ‘’The Supreme Court is taking its own time and thereby giving time to the ‘’illegitimate’’ government ruling the state,’’ he noted.

‘’The Supreme Court and everyone else is silent as the law is being trampled. Who exactly has been relieved by the Supreme Court saying that the Assembly Speaker should not take a decision ?’’ asked Sawant.

"It's a different question whether the Speaker would have ruled in our favour. But will the government stay that way? The Supreme Court is not expected to delay the delivery of justice in the manner in which the illegally formed government is being protected and time is consumed in arguments. We look to the Supreme Court as the only hope,’’ noted Sawant.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker to keep in abeyance the disqualification proceedings initiated against the members of Shiv Sena amid the ongoing political developments in the state. The apex court today hit the pause button on the legal battle for the control of Shiv Sena. The top court directed the newly elected Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly, Rahul Narwekar, not to decide on the disqualification notices till the court rules on them.

(With inputs from agencies)