BJP's Rahul Narwekar Elected Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Unopposed After MVA Refuses To File Nomination

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rahul Narvekar was elected as the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker unopposed as Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) parties refused to file nomination for the election, set to be held on Monday (9 December).

A formal announcement of Narwekar's election as Maharashtra Assembly Speaker will be made on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Narwekar filed his nomination for the post of Speaker in the Maharashtra assembly.

Narwekar was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and state BJP chief Chandrashekar Bawankule.

The speaker's election on Monday will be be followed by trust vote of the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government which was sworn-in on 5 December.

Meanwhile, the Opposition MVA has reportedly placed a formal demand seeking the Leader of Opposition post and the Deputy Speaker post in the Assembly, and decision on the same will be taken tomorrow. 

The MVA MLAs began taking the oath of office early Sunday, a day after deciding against it to protest the alleged misuse of EVMs in the recently held state Assembly polls.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance has secured 230 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, with the BJP winning 132 seats.

The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar's NCP won 57 and 41 seats, respectively.

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