Rane files writ to disqualify 23 MLAs

Expelled Shiv Sena leader Narayan Rane on Monday filed a writ petition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Secretariat, seeking disqualification of 23 Sena legislators for "not attending" the meeting of MLAs convened by him as the Leader of Opposition, on July 8.

"Although, a three line whip was issued to all Sena MLAs asking them to be present at the meeting, some MLAs chose to stay away from the meeting and only ten attended," Rane told reporters at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

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He said, besides nine attending the meeting, "two MLAs had faxed me a letter stating the reasons of absence and extended their support to me."

The names of Kashinath Mengal and Sanjay Pawar, who figured earlier in the list of 25 to be disqualified for not attending the meeting, have been dropped, Rane said.

Among the 23 MLAs whose disqualification has been sought include Ramdas Kadam, Subhash Desai and Datta Nalawade.