MUMBAI: Responding to the SC verdict setting aside suspension of 12 BJP MLAs, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut asked why no sympathy was extended to the MVA government’s nomination for appointment of 12 legislators under the governor’s quota.
The nominations have been pending with governor B S Koshyari for over a year.
“12 who created a ruckus in the Speaker’s chamber were subjected to disciplinary action. The SC has shown sympathy to these people, then why don’t our 12 legislators have the right to sympathy? I am surprised SC is not ready to intervene in the case of MLCs to be nominated by the governor,” Raut said.
He said suspension of 12 BJP MLAs was the right of the assembly. “SC has encroached on the right of the assembly. In fact, SC has not ruled on suspension of some of our MPs in RS. The nomination of our 12 MLCs is stuck for two years,” said Raut.
Legislative affairs minister Anil Parab said the MVA government would study the SC’s order. “We had also consulted legal experts. So far, courts had not intervened in matters pertaining to working of legislature. We will study the order,” he said.
The NCP said the decision to suspend the 12 MLAs was taken by the Speaker’s office after following due procedure, and not by the MVA government. “The proposal was put forward by the person in the Speaker’s chair and passed by the majority in the assembly,” pointed out minority affairs minister Nawab Malik.
“Are the rights of state assemblies and the Parliament final or are they subject to court rulings? The assembly secretariat will study this and the Speaker will take a final decision,” said Malik.
Sena leader Bhaskar Jadhav, who was presiding officer when BJP MLAs were suspended, said, “The arms of government cannot interfere with each other. According to rules, the decision taken by assembly can only be reversed within the assembly. I have my doubts about whether SC can take such a decision. I feel this conflict will deepen.”
