Setting the ball rolling vis-a-vis disqualification proceedings, the Maharashtra Legislature’s secretariat has sent out notices to the MLAs of both Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray factions.
The development comes a week ahead of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature, which would be held from July 17 - August 4 in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court had asked Speaker Rahul Narwekar to decide on the disqualification proceedings.
At the time of the split, the Shiv Sena had 55 MLAs.
Rutuja Latke who had been elected under the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol in a bye-election following the death of her husband Ramesh Latke - supports the Thackeray group.
Thackeray’s son and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray too faces disqualification proceedings.
Shinde, who himself faces disqualification proceedings, commands a group of 40 MLAs.
After the June 20, 2022 rebellion in the Shiv Sena, Shinde with the help of the BJP toppled the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
Shinde and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis were sworn in as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, respectively, and they won the trust vote on July 4, last year.
The issue reached the Supreme Court and the Election Commission.
On February 17, the Election Commission legitimised Shinde-faction as the real Shiv Sena and allotted the bow and arrow symbol.
On May 11, the Supreme Court stated that Thackeray's position as Chief Minister cannot be restored as he had resigned before the floor test, however, it passed structures against then-governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. On the issue of disqualification, the apex court put the ball in the court of the Assembly Speaker.
Earlier this week, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Assembly Speaker to expedite the hearing of the disqualification petitions.