Uddhav Thackeray's Bags Packed, Leaves Chief Minister's Residence

Uddhav Thackeray is going back to his private residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai's Bandra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today left his official residence amid a rebellion by senior cabinet member Eknath Shinde that has put a question mark on the stability of the state government.

Mr Thackeray has tested positive for Covid. But his shift to the family home, strongly associated with party founder and father Balasaheb Thackeray, was seen as carrying a message.

Earlier today, delivering a Facebook live address -- his first public reaction to the political crisis that engulfed his government -  Mr Thackeray said, "If my own people don't want me as Chief Minister, he should walk up to me and say so... I'm ready to resign... I am Balasaheb's son, I am not after a post... If you want me to resign, let me resign and take all my belongings to Matoshree".

There, however, was a rider. "I'm willing to step down, but can you promise me that the next chief minister will be from Shiv Sena?"