Speaker elections in Maharashtra postponed to a later date

In a decision taken on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, the ruling party of the state, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has postponed the elections which were planned for the election of a speaker in Maharashtra. Officials state that these might have a few legal challenges and hence detailed discussions will be held soon to take further steps. Moreover, MVA leaders also stepped back from confronting with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.

It is being said that the MVA was planned to conduct the speaker election on the last day of legislature’s winter session, however, a letter was received from the Governor, post which the leaders decided to hold the same until further notice.

Similar suggestion to delay the election was given by other leaders too who believed that if the speaker elections were held it could have faced legal challenges. However, a Bill curtailing the powers of the Governor was passed in the recently held state legislature and this will be effective in appointing vice-chancellors across universities in Maharashtra

Quoting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a report in the Indian Express said, “The Governor’s post is an important one and it has to be respected by all of us. We made a conscious decision and did not want to act against the Constitution. We will have a budget session on February 28, and we will have elections then. Till then, we will have another meeting with the Governor because discussion at times can be fruitful.”

“The Governor was sent a letter informing him about the entire process to be followed for the Speaker elections. The government had taken care that the Governor’s post is not disrespected. The entire election process could have been completed in one day, but on the last day of the session, the governor sent a letter again. To avoid any legal issues, the MVA government avoided holding the Speaker’s election in this session,” State Congress President, Nana Patole added.

According to reports, no speaker has been elected in the state Patole stepped down from the post in since February 2021.