Overview
- The bench kept the Thane collector’s January 7 and 9 communications on alliance recognition in abeyance pending a fresh, reasoned decision.
- Parties were directed to appear before the collector on January 28, with an order to follow within 21 days of the matter being closed for orders.
- The court said the collector’s eventual order will not take effect for 15 days, and subject committees will not be constituted during that period.
- Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and Abhay J. Mantri criticised four Ajit Pawar‑NCP councillors for repeated switches, calling them “globe‑trotting” and “opportunistic fence sitters.”
- The case stems from a fractured verdict (Sena 27, BJP 14, Congress 12, NCP 4, Independents 2), initial recognition of the BJP–Congress‑led AVA on January 7, and a January 9 reversal recognising a Sena–NCP tie‑up.