Mumbai: Speaker Rahul Narwekar hit back at Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday, saying allegations made by the UBT Sena chief ahead of the MLAs’ case order were “baseless, deliberate and intended to put pressure on the decision-making process.” Narwekar said someone who is a former CM (Uddhav) knows what the role and responsibilities of the Speaker are and the reasons for which a Speaker can meet the CM, so when such a person makes “irresponsible statements, especially about someone in a constitutional post, it amounts to an insult to the legislature and Constitution.”
Narwekar said his decision in the case will be based on constitutional provisions and legislature rules and will be legally sustainable.
“The CM and Speaker are part of the legislature board and when any important decision is to be taken, there is a discussion between the two. I am also an MLA, apart from being Speaker. I have to resolve issues related to my constituency. At the same time, meetings between Speaker and head of executive, the CM, are natural and necessary. My meeting with the CM to discuss various issues was scheduled for January 3, but since I was down with influenza, I met him to talk to him on some important issues related to my constituency (Colaba-Cuffe Parade connector and CC roads) and the legislature board on vacant posts in legislature,” Narwekar said.
He added, “There is no rule saying that when hearing disqualification petitions, the Speaker must stop works related to his constituency. I don’t need to take anyone’s permission to meet the CM. In one year, I’ve met many MLAs from all factions facing disqualification.”
Narwekar said his decision in the case will be based on constitutional provisions and legislature rules and will be legally sustainable.
“The CM and Speaker are part of the legislature board and when any important decision is to be taken, there is a discussion between the two. I am also an MLA, apart from being Speaker. I have to resolve issues related to my constituency. At the same time, meetings between Speaker and head of executive, the CM, are natural and necessary. My meeting with the CM to discuss various issues was scheduled for January 3, but since I was down with influenza, I met him to talk to him on some important issues related to my constituency (Colaba-Cuffe Parade connector and CC roads) and the legislature board on vacant posts in legislature,” Narwekar said.
He added, “There is no rule saying that when hearing disqualification petitions, the Speaker must stop works related to his constituency. I don’t need to take anyone’s permission to meet the CM. In one year, I’ve met many MLAs from all factions facing disqualification.”