Overview
- A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri criticized the NCP councillors’ shifting loyalties as “globe-trotting.”
- The court kept in abeyance the collector’s January 7 recognition of the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi and the January 9 recognition of the Shiv Sena-led bloc.
- The collector must hear the BJP, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena, with written submissions due January 28, before issuing a reasoned decision within 21 days.
- Any fresh certification will remain non-operative for two weeks after issuance to allow parties to approach the court.
- Background: Shiv Sena won 27 of 60 seats, BJP 14, Congress 12, NCP 4 and independents 2; a 32-member AVA formed on December 31 was recognized on January 7, then a Shiv Sena Ambernath Mahayuti Aghadi was certified on January 9 after four NCP councillors switched, prompting AVA’s challenge.