In a fresh confrontation with the Raj Bhavan, the MVA government in Maharashtra conveyed to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari that a delay in approving the schedule for election of the Legislative Assembly Speaker will be taken as his "consent", sources said as the ruling coalition appeared firm on electing a new Speaker on December 28.

The Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which has been at loggerheads with the Governor's office over a number of issues, appears firm on holding the Speaker election on Tuesday, the last day of the ongoing winter session of the legislature, despite the Governor refusing to accept the ruling coalition's request for approval of the schedule. The Congress, a constituent of the MVA, has accused the opposition BJP of obstructing the Speaker's election by using the Governor's office. The post is lying vacant since February this year.