
When Shiv Sena MLA Yamini Yashwant Jadhav of the Eknath Shinde camp voted for the Speaker's election on Sunday, the opposition MLAs in Maharashtra Assembly chanted "ED, ED."
The opposition action of taunting came after Jadhav's husband, Yashwant Jadhav, a Shiv Sena leader and former chairman of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's standing committee, was recently investigated and accused of breaking the Foreign Exchange Management Act by the Enforcement Directorate.
In April this year, the Income Tax Department attached 41 properties, including a five-crore flat allegedly belonging to Jadhav, in connection with an alleged tax evasion case.
A few weeks ago, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using central agencies to pressure independents and smaller parties to vote for BJP candidates.
"If the ED gives us control for two days, Devendra Fadnavis will also vote for us," Shiv Sena MP Raut said.
Meanwhile, BJP legislator Rahul Narvekar easily passed the 164-vote votes. Narvekar faced Shiv Sena MLA Rajan Salvi of the Uddhav Thackeray team, who received 107 votes.
Earlier, the two Shiv Sena factions, led by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, issued whips urging MLAs to vote for their respective Speaker candidates.
Since Congress' Nana Patole resigned in February 2021 to become the party's state unit president, the position of Speaker in the Maharashtra Assembly has been vacant. Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal was acting as Deputy Speaker.
Also Read: 'System is being used': says Aaditya Thackeray over 'Matoshree' Controversy
Also Read: Income Tax department searches Shiv Sena leader Yashwant Jadhav's house
Stay updated with the Breaking News Today and Latest News from across India and around the world. Get real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of India News, World News, Indian Defence News, Kerala News, and Karnataka News. From politics to current affairs, follow every major story as it unfolds. Get real-time updates from IMD on major cities weather forecasts, including Rain alerts, Cyclone warnings, and temperature trends. Download the Asianet News Official App from the Android Play Store and iPhone App Store for accurate and timely news updates anytime, anywhere.