Supreme Court Extends Deadline for Maharashtra Speaker to Decide NCP Disqualification Pleas

The Supreme Court has granted an extension until February 15 to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to decide on disqualification pleas against the breakaway Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Originally set for January 31, the deadline was extended to allow the tribunal to conclude disqualification proceedings against the Ajit Pawar camp.

The Speaker had previously dismissed similar disqualification proceedings against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and supporting MLAs. The top court directed the Speaker to first decide the petitions related to Shiv Sena factions and then address those concerning the NCP.