Hc Refrains From Quashing Speakers Disqualification Notices

The Congress-NCP led Democratic Front government in the state received a shot in the arm with the Bombay High Court declining to quash the notices issued against six rebel MLAs (5 from the NCP and 1 from the Congress) by the Speaker of the state legislature, Arun Gujarathi.

Deputy chief minister Chaggan Bhujbal said late on Friday night: "We are comfortably poised for the vote of confidence in the state legislature with the court having upheld the Speaker's right to issue the notices by refusing to accede to the opposition combine's plea. Now on things will take an interesting turn."

As a result of the court observation, the numerical strength of the DF government that is sought to be tested on June 13 through a confidence vote appears to be bolstered, unless further defections from the Congress or NCP are orchestrated by the opposition combine.

In the 288 member state legislature, with the six disqualifications, the DF would be able to boast of 73 from the Congress (with Sanjay Deshmukh disqualified), 51 of the NCP (five being disqualified), two of the Republican Party of India (Ambedkar faction), one RPI (Gavai faction), one Janta Dal (secular), two CPM MLAs and five independent MLAs, whose support to the DF government is more or less certain.

With this bringing up the DF strength up to 141, the government would also seek to re-induct the five PWP MLAs who have withdrawn from the government to ensure a safe majority.