Maharashtra political turmoil live updates | Shinde calls meeting of rebel MLAs to discuss further strategy

Supporters assemble near Shinde’s home; MP son flays NCP, decries attack on offices

The national executive meeting of the Shiv Sena on June 25 passed six resolutions giving absolute rights to Maharashtra Chief Minister and party president Uddhav Thackeray to take action against the rebels to bring the revolt within party under control. The meeting was called in the wake of Sena MLA Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, which has not only destabilised the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the State but also poses a risk of the Thackerays losing control of the party.

Meanwhile, fearing violent retaliation by Sena workers, all 38 party MLAs stationed in Guwahati wrote to Assam’s Chief Minister, Home Minister and Director General of Police on Saturday demanding police protection for their families and relatives. The office of Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal on Saturday confirmed issue of disqualification notice to 16 rebel MLAs, seeking a reply within 48 hours. But the Shinde group tried to move a no-confidence motion against Mr. Zirwal, though the Assembly is not in session. It was rejected as the notice was from an unknown e-mail id.

At a virtual press conference from Guwahati as a representative of the rebel group, Deepak Kesarkar, MLA, said, “We have a majority with us and, as per the rule, we can sit as a separate group in the Assembly. We will not merge with any other party. We have not left the Shiv Sena, but we are the Shiv Sena. The decision of ours is because the Congress and the NCP were weakening the party in Maharashtra.” 

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“Had the BJP kept their promise of sharing the Maharashtra CM’s post with the Shiv Sena for 2.5 years, then Uddhav Thackeray himself would have put forth Eknath Shinde’s name as CM,” says Sena MP Sanjay Raut in his column in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana.’

“Mr. Shinde would have stood a better chance of being CM had he remained within the Sena. Those who revolted against the Sena like Chhagan Bhujbal and Narayan Rane, saw their later political careers run into rough weather. The revolt by Mr. Shinde and 40 MLAs was “no political earthquake” and the Sena headquarters endured several such earthquakes. A split in the Legislative party does not translate into a split in the Shiv Sena,” said Mr. Raut. - Mumbai Bureau

Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde on June 26 called a meeting of MLAs at 12 p.m. in Guwahati hotel, to discuss further strategy. ANI