Maharashtra Political Crisis: Assembly Set To Elect New Speaker Today

Shinde returned to Mumbai on Saturday with 39 Sena rebel MLAs and is set to face the test of strength on Monday.

The Maharashtra Assembly will elect its new speaker on Sunday, 3 July, with Shiv Sena MLA Ranjan Salvi set to face off against the BJP’s Rahul Narvekar for the post.

The position has remained vacant since the Congress’ Nana Patole resigned in February 2021 to become state Congress chief.

The election for the post is crucial, especially in view of the recent political upheaval in the state which saw rebel MLA leader Eknath Shinde being sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra. The Speaker holds the power to dismiss the disqualification proceedings, brought forth by Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal against 16 rebel Sena MLAs, including Shinde.