Meghe sworn-in Legislative Council member

MUMBAI, APRIL 26: Ignoring the protest lodged by the BJP, Governor P C Alexander today nominated Food and Civil Supplies Minister Datta Me...

MUMBAI, APRIL 26: Ignoring the protest lodged by the BJP, Governor P C Alexander today nominated Food and Civil Supplies Minister Datta Meghe as his nominee on the Legislative Council.

Immediately after his nomination, Meghe was sworn in as the member of the Upper House by Council Chairman N S Pharande. Though he was not a member of either of the Houses, Meghe was sworn in as a Cabinet member on October 26. As per the constitutional requirement, it was binding on Meghe to get elected to either of the Houses within six months of his swearing in.

To facilitate nomination of Meghe, Vinayak Mete, Governor’s nominee on the Council resigned last week. Significantly, another Cabinet member Gangadhar Gade, who was also sworn in on October 26 automatically ceases to be a Minister from April 27 since he could not become the member of either of the Houses within the stipulated time.

Story continues below this ad

“Since Gade was from the quota of the Nationalist Congress Party, it was the responsibility of NCP to ensure his nomination or election. Since that was not possible, as per the constitutional provisions, he automatically ceases to a minister from April 27,” Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said.

BJP’s contention was that Alexander should not nominate Meghe since it will serve the political purpose of the Congress-led Democratic Front.