Mumbai: The Maharashtra continues to be in a political imbroglio after a few lawmakers led by Eknath Shinde deserted ruling Uddhav Thackeray administration.
Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal issued disqualification notice to Shinde and his 15 other lawmakers.
This sudden turn of events caught the Shinde camp off guard and is left with no leeway, except fight it out legally.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala will hear the pleas on Monday, according to The Indian Express.
Shinde approached the apex along with lawmaker Bharat Gogawale, who was seeking a stay on disqualification notices issued on June 25.
Fighting disqualification, they challenged replacement of Shinde with Ajay Choudhary as leader of the Shiv Sena Legislative Party (SSLP).
In a significant development, on June 21 Zirwal of the NCP approved of Shinde's replacement Ajay Choudhary as SSLP leader, rejecting Eknath Shinde's claim.
The 16 MLAs from the rebel camp were given 48 hours until Monday, June 27, to respond, failing which action would be initiated against them, the report said.
Shinde in his plea said Zirwal has no right to act on the disqualification as he is of the NCP.
As well as this claim, he argued that a separate notice of resolution seeking Zirwal's removal is already pending.
Further he argued that Zirwal who is acting as Deputy Speaker after post of Speaker fell vacant is a lawmaker from the NCP.
The Speaker's post was vacant after Nana Patole of the Congress resigned and became president of the Maharashtra Congress, according to the report.
Shinde camp claims that Zirwal is biased and his actions are on mal fide and against constitutional principles.
The plea further says that given the situation where the petitioner does not expect justice from Zirwal who is, according to the plea, is acting on the directions of leader opposing the petitioner or Shinde and his colleagues.
To ram home his point further, Shinde argued that Choudharys' appointment to SSLP leader was made by what he called the "minority faction of lawmakers, which Zirwal cannot ratify.
As the drama in Mahatrashtra continues, it is not yet to say the end outcome of the situation.
Meanwhile, ED has slapped a notice to Sajay Raut who is highly vocal against Eknath Shinde faction's desertion.
ED has summon Raut on Monday to probe into a money laundering case over the Patra Chawl redevelopment project in Mumbai.