Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly

The genesis and growth of the Maharashtra Legislature synchronize with the constitutional developments in India. Prior to the Charter Act, 1833, the Governor-in-Council of Bombay could make regulations and ordinances for the good government of factories or territories at first acquired in India. The Charter Act, 1833 withdrew this power and vested it in the Governor-General to make laws for the entire country. Under the Charter Act, 1853, the Legislative Council, as distinguished from the Governor-General’s Executive Council, was established. This proved to be a forerunner of the Legislative Council, which came to be established for the Bombay Presidency and other Provinces under the Indian Councils Act, 1861. Indian Councils Act, 1892 liberalised the powers of the Legislative Councils and marked a further stage in their development.

The Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 took the stage of development still further. The principle of elective representation was, for the first time, introduced in the Indian Councils. The powers exercised by the previous Legislatures were not only continued but were further augmented.

By the Government of India Act, 1919, direct elections were introduced in the Legislatures. The Provincial Councils enjoyed much larger powers than the Central Legislature in all matters, except legislation. However, the Governors continued to exercise the real authority in the administration of the Provinces. The Government of India Act, 1935, envisaging a federal type of government, gave more powers to the Central and State Legislatures.

In 1956, following the reorganization of States on linguistic basis, the State of Bombay was formed. In 1960, the bilingual State of Bombay was bifurcated into two new States of Maharashtra and Gujarat by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960. The present State of Maharashtra came into being on 1 May 1960.

The strength of the Assembly is 289 members, including a nominated member. The life of the Legislative Assembly is five years, unless dissolved earlier.