New Delhi: Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, amid indications that six to seven legislators from the party are preparing to switch over to the ruling Sena.
After the meeting, Desai told reporters that they had submitted a representation to the Speaker urging him to beware of any illegal defection.
“Under the law, one cannot simply merge with a party even if it has the support of two-thirds of MPs. Only the original party can merge if the group has the required two-thirds strength,” he said.
“The discretion lies with the Speaker. So, if a group claiming to have two-thirds support is close to merging with another party, that group cannot be recognized under the rules as only the original party can merge under the provisions. Even if there are six MPs, it does not matter,” Desai added.
The Shiv Sena has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha and at least six of them will have to jump together to escape disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Raut, who had previously claimed that some Maharashtra MPs were being offered… $’50 crore’ to switch sides Birla said he assured them that he would consider every aspect of the law before taking any decision.
“The speaker is a respectable person and told us that he will keep in mind all aspects if anyone comes to meet him,” Raut said.
Apart from Sawant and Desai, Shiv Sena MP Rajabhau Waje has declared that he remains loyal to party supremo Uddhav Thackeray. The other six MPs are seen as potential defectors from the ruling Shiv Sena party led by Eknath Shinde.
Shortly before meeting Birla, Raut claimed in a press conference that Shiv Sena MPs were being lured with money.
“I’ve been told that the rate is $50 crores and so on $Rs 15 crore each will be handed over by tonight. “They allegedly did not want to board the plane without getting the money,” Raut said.
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