Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Goa: How BJP cut bigger allies to size
India Today
The political crisis in Maharashtra is far from over. With many Sena MLAs reposing faith in rebel Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena is looking at an uncertain future. Read on to know more about the political crisis.
The political crisis in Maharashtra is pushing the dominant party of the state, Shiv Sena, to the brink of division with many Sena MLAs reposing faith in rebel Eknath Shinde defying the might of their chief, Uddhav Thackeray. On Wednesday, hours after announcing that he was prepared to resign, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray moved to his family home, Matoshree, leaving the ‘Varsha’ bungalow, which served as the CM’s official residence.
To overthrow the Uddhav administration and avoid the anti-defection regulation, Eknath Shinde needs 37 Shiv Sena MLAs, but he isn't giving up. He keeps bringing Shiv Sena MLAs into the rebel camp. Eknath Shinde has claimed that 48 MLAs are with him out of which 42 belong to the Shiv Sena. If his claims are true, no one can do anything to stop the division of the party, which may be far bigger than the earlier ones. This is the largest internal uprising within the party, which has earlier seen blows by people, such as Chhagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, and Raj Thackeray.
Also read: Attend meeting or else...: Shiv Sena warns MLAs ahead of party meet in Mumbai
Shiv Sena alleged that Eknath Shinde's uprising was "masterminded" by the BJP. The BJP claims that it is unrelated to the ongoing political unrest in Maharashtra. But we all know that the two BJP ruling states, Gujarat and Assam, were chosen to host the rebel Sena MLAs.
On Monday night, Shinde accompanied a group of rebellious MLAs from Mumbai to Surat in Gujarat. Later, on Wednesday morning, they were flown to Guwahati in Assam. There have been strong speculations that Shinde and other MLAs may join the BJP in an effort to overthrow the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. There are reports suggesting that the BJP has executed ‘Operation Lotus’ to bring down the MVA government.
Whether Uddhav Thackeray can keep his Shiv Sena intact is the million-dollar question. After the 2019 Maharashtra elections, the Shiv Sena broke with the BJP, and together with the NCP and the Congress, they formed the MVA government in the state. The Shiv Sena at that time cheated their pre-poll partner BJP, who were allies in Maharashtra since 1989. Now questions are being asked whether BJP is taking revenge for 2019 by assisting the splitting of the Shiv Sena.
Shiv Sena is not the only party that is facing the might of the BJP. There are instances that show that BJP tries to subdue their alliance partner. They manipulated the partnership to the saffron party's benefit. One of the biggest examples in recent times is that of CM Nitish Kumar's party, JD(U), which has been overtaken by the BJP in Bihar. Here is a list of some BJP allies in the past or present that were cut to size or forced for their survival.
Students told the Mahila Congress that the LPG shortage had disrupted their daily meals. They said the hostel administration had altered the menu, reduced one meal and discontinued evening tea in recent days.
India's consumer courts promise quick justice, but rising backlogs and staff shortages tell a different story. As cases pile up, the gap between what the system offers and what it delivers is widening.
A second patient died within 72 hours at RG Kar Hospital, with his family alleging that a lack of stretcher and basic facilities forced the critically ill man to walk 100 metres, leading to his death.
As Parliament prepares to bring amendments to the Transgender Act, activists warn the proposed changes risk rolling back years of hard-won rights.
A high-speed boat crash in the Maldives has left two Indians missing, including a celebrated rally figure, even as Gautam Singhania returns home. Search teams continue efforts amid mounting concern and unanswered questions.
A prominent seer, Pranavananda Swamiji, alleged that mutts backing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post were denied any allocation in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He reiterated his support for Shivakumar to take over as the chief minister.
India's original Dhurandhar, Ravindra Kaushik, rose from acting at college theatres, to infiltrating the Pakistan Army as a RAW Agent. He provided critical intelligence on Pakistani troop movements and the country's nuclear programme, but died a lonely death after his betrayal and subsequent capture by the ISI.
According to the police, 19-year-old Sachin Dharmendrabhai Chaudhary, who works as a labourer, had borrowed the money before expressing his inability to repay it immediately, police said. He was allegedly threatened with his life over the delay in repayment. Fearing for his life, Sachin immediately alerted the police.
A quiet arrest in Rajasthan has unravelled a wider espionage network, linking an Air Force employee to Pakistani handlers. Investigators say the trail began months ago and may reach deeper than first believed.
A 36-year-old woman plotted to murder her mother-in-law with the help of her 21-year-old lover. The murder plot was exposed by CCTV installed inside the house.
