maharashtra-assembly-to-elect-new-speaker-on-monday

The election for the Speaker of the newly formed 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is set to take place on Monday. This significant event follows the poll schedule announced by the state legislature secretariat, which requires candidates to file their nominations by 12 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to retain the Speaker's position, with BJP legislator Rahul Narwekar emerging as the frontrunner for the role.

 

Narwekar previously served as the Speaker of the 14th State Assembly, holding the position since July 2022. According to BJP sources, Narwekar is likely to submit his nomination before the deadline on Sunday.

 

If the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which holds 50 legislators, chooses to field a candidate, the election will proceed as planned on Monday.

 

However, if the MVA decides not to contest, the nominee of the BJP-led MahaYuti alliance will be elected unopposed, ensuring a new Speaker assumes office on the same day.

 

Narwekar addressed the possibility of his nomination with humility, stating, "The party will decide on the candidate for the Speaker's election. There are many capable leaders in the BJP. The party has already entrusted me with significant responsibilities, and if further responsibilities are assigned, I will fulfil them to the best of my ability."

 

During his tenure as the Speaker of the 14th Assembly, Narwekar delivered two landmark judgments concerning splits within major political parties. In January, he ruled that the faction led by Eknath Shinde was the legitimate Shiv Sena, citing the group's majority support among the party’s MLAs.

 

Similarly, in February, he recognised Ajit Pawar's faction as the legitimate Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, further solidifying his reputation as a decisive figure in Maharashtra's political landscape.

 

As the three-day special session of the 15th Assembly commenced on Saturday, its initial proceedings were overseen by pro-tem Speaker Kalidas Kolambkar. A seasoned leader with nine terms as a BJP legislator, Kolambkar’s role as pro-tem Speaker has set the stage for the upcoming Speaker election.