REGARDING SANJAY RAUT'S ALLEGATION OF "MATCH-FIXING," EKNATH SHINDE'S "OFFICIAL SHIV SENA" RETURN PRIOR TO THE SPEAKER'S DECISION

Ahead of the critical verdict on the cross-petitions by Shiv Sena factions seeking the disqualification of each other's MLAs on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde categorically denied Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut's "match-fixing" charges between Shiv Sena and the Speaker. Speaker Rahul Narwekar should render a merit-based decision, according to Shinde.

Having a conversation with Mumbai reporters According to Eknath Shinde, his faction was given the Shiv Sena name and symbol by the Indian Election Commission.

"We are official Shiv Sena and we have the majority in the state Assembly... but some are making allegations of match-fixing, but they also had a meal with the speaker but we didn't make any such allegations; the Speaker is an MLA too and the meeting was official and it's in open light…," Shinde responded when asked about Sanjay Raut's claim.

Declaring that Shinde is "illegally" in charge of the government, Raut claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "well aware" of the decision beforehand.

"Match-fixing is scheduled to take place in Maharashtra today at 4 p.m. The Maharashtra chief minister is illegally leading the government. For us, this is a crime. "He is an accused," Raut told ANI at a press conference on Wednesday.

Match fixing in cricket refers to the manipulation of the outcome of a match in organized sports. Raut also questioned the timing of Modi's impending visit to the state before the Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction-led Shiv Sena raised objections to Speaker Narwekar meeting Shinde, ahead of the verdict at his residence on January 7.

Narwekar to set to deliver his much-awaited verdict on the disqualification pleas at 4pm on Wednesday, January 10, Vidhan Bhavan officials have said, more than 18 months after the Shiv Sena suffered a vertical split, a political development that resulted in a change of guard in the state.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena, led by the Uddhav Thackeray group, objected to Speaker Narwekar seeing Shinde at his residence on January 7 prior of the verdict.

Narwekar will announce his much-anticipated ruling on the disqualification petitions at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, according to Vidhan Bhavan authorities, more than 18 months after the Shiv Sena had a vertical split, resulting in a change of guard in the state.

Shinde stated that 75% of Shiv Sena MPs in the Lok Sabha and 67% of those in the assembly are members of his group.

An affidavit protesting to a recent meeting between Shinde, one of the MLAs whose disqualification has been sought, and Narwekar has been submitted with the Supreme Court by the Shiv Sena (UBT). This has led to a heated altercation between the two parties.

"Whether it's the high court or the Supreme Court, they keep making comments on it... the decision will have to be on merit, as we (the government) are formed on merit," the chief minister of Maharashtra stated.

The Supreme Court postponed the Speaker's decision on disqualification petitions against MLAs, including Shinde, until January 10, 2023, on December 15, 2023.