Rebel camp confident of favourable ruling as Maharashtra political tussle looks headed for court: Key points

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra assembly deputy speaker has summoned 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs on a disqualification petition. They have been asked to respond by Monday.
But the rebel camp is confident that the ruling will go in its favour if the matter lands in court.
The Shiv Sena in an executive committee meeting on Saturday authorised party chief Uddhav Thackeray to take action against the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde.
Both sides are doubling down on their respective positions, as Maharashtra stares at a protracted political turmoil.
Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai this morning.
Maharashtra political crisis live updates
Here are the latest developments from the unfolding political saga in Maharashtra:
Sena activists demonstrate against rebels in Mumbai, Pune
Despite prohibitory orders in place, Shiv Sena workers hit the streets in large numbers for a bike rally to protest against the rebel MLAs outside the Saamana office in Mumbai.
In Pune too, Sena workers vented their anger against Eknath Shinde and his loyalist MLAs.

No provision for split, merger only option for Shinde: Experts
Former principal secretary (legislature secretariat) Anant Kalse felt that the Shinde camp’s homework on the anti-defection law was grossly inadequate, while retired Justice B G Kolse Patil said that the Shiv Sena leader has been trapped and it may not be possible for him to come out of it.
Former speaker Arun Gujarathi and former minister Eknath Khadse said that in the days to come, Maharashtra will witness a long-drawn legal battle involving the deputy speaker, governor and the election commission.

Rebel camp confident of a favourable court ruling
Rebel Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar, who is in Guwahati, told TOI that the group supporting Eknath Shinde will move the Bombay high court early next week to challenge the decision of Uddhav Thackeray to replace Shinde from the party chief whip’s post and to appoint a new MLA to the post.
“We will be moving court by Monday or Tuesday. Our group has the backing of the majority of Sena legislators. We are confident the court would give its verdict in our favour,” Kesarkar added, stating the rebel group would also make a similar move if the 16 MLAs are disqualified.

Prohibitory orders in Mumbai till July 10
The prohibitory orders issued by the city police under section 37 of the Mumbai Police (MP) Act in the first week of June, ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, will continue to remain in place till July 10. It bans the assembly of five or more persons at one place.
With tempers running high among Shiv Sena workers following the rebellion by party leader Eknath Shinde, the Mumbai police have deployed its personnel at the city-based offices of various political parties and leaders, including ministers, MLAs and MPs, and their residences as a security measure, an official said on Saturday.