Maharashtra crisis: Eknath Shinde and other Sena MLAs reached Guwahati from Surat.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday night moved from his official residence in south Mumbai to family home in suburban Bandra, hours after offering to quit the top post amid rebellion by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
Meanwhile, senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's name was suggested for the Chief Minister post by Sharad Pawar and the Congress - Uddhav Thackeray's allies in Maharashtra - said the Congress sources, even as his rebellion against his own party has plunged the state into a political crisis. They also said that 17 Shiv Sena MLAs, currently in Guwahati, are ready to come back to Mumbai.
Mr Shinde, along with other MLAs was staying at a hotel in Gujarat's Surat following the cross-voting in Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls and later took a flight to Guwahati.
The political impasse in Maharashtra entered its second day today with Eknath Shinde reaching Guwahati from Surat along with scores of lawmakers of the party. Mr Shinde has claimed 46 MLAs are with him and asserted that he will not switch parties.
He had demanded that the Sena restore its alliance with the BJP and jointly rule the state, sources said.
Uddhav Thackeray chaired a crucial meeting of his cabinet virtually after he tested positive for Covid. Shiv Sena has now called a meeting of all MLAs at 5 pm at the Chief Minister's residence.
Here are the Highights on Maharashtra Political Crisis:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday night moved from his official residence in south Mumbai to family home in suburban Bandra, hours after offering to quit the top post amid rebellion by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.
The Chief Minister moved out of 'Varsha', his official residence, for Matoshree, the private bungalow of the Thackeray family, amid high drama as the political crisis that has rocked his government after Shinde's revolt two days ago, showed no signs of ebbing.
Shiv Sena leaders like Neelam Gorhe and Chandrakant Khaire were present at 'Varsha' when Thackeray was leaving the official residence.
Party workers raised slogans and showered petals on the CM as he left his official house along with his family members at around 9.50 pm.
Hours after offering to quit as chief minister amid rebellion by Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray leaves Chief Minister's official residence in south Mumbai for family's Matoshri bungalow in suburban Bandra
Maharashtra political crisis Plea in Supreme Court seeks crackdown on all MLAs who indulge in defection
A plea in Supreme Court has sought a crackdown on all MLAs who indulge in defection, amid a political crisis in Maharashtra. The plea sought the court's directions to restrain defecting MLAs from contesting elections for five years.
Uddhav Thackeray's bags packed, to leave Chief Minister's residence for his family home Matoshree
"We will prove majority": Sena's Sanjay Raut
"We will prove majority if a no-confidence motion is tabled," said Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
Maharashtra Crisis: 3 more MLAs arrive in Guwahati on chartered plane
3 more MLAs arrive in Guwahati on chartered plane, where rebel Eknath Shinde and others are camping
Sena needs to walk out of unnatural alliance, says rebel Eknath Shinde
Rebel Eknath Shinde has said Shiv Sena needs to walk out of "unnatural alliance" to save party and party workers, said rebel Eknath Shinde.
Just In: Sharad Pawar, Congress suggest rebel Eknath Shinde be made Chief Minister, say sources
Why No Intel On Sena MLAs' Flight, Sharad Pawar Asks Minister: SourcesThe sudden flight by a group of Shiv Sena rebels led by Eknath Shinde has brought the Maharashtra government to the verge of collapse.
Questions have been raised on whether the movement of a group of 22 MLAs went unnoticed by
Mumbai Police, which reports to the Maharashtra government, specifically Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil of the NCP.
The MLAs took a flight late on Monday night to Surat in BJP-ruled Gujarat.
Was the minister unaware of the movement of the MLAs, whose security details are provided by the police?
"Will Keep Fighting", Says Sena's Sanjay Raut
"Will keep fighting", said Sena's Sanjay Raut in a tweet in Marathi.
Sharad Pawar at Uddhav Thackeray's home
Sharad Pawar, along with his party leaders' Jayant Patil and Supriya Sule, is meeting Uddhav Thackeray amid a political crisis in Maharashtra.
"Will be happy if another person from Shiv Sena succeeds me as Chief Minister if I quit," said Uddhav Thackeray.
"Will quit as chief minister and leave official residence if even one of the disgruntled MLAs says he doesn't want me as Chief Minister," said Uddhav Thackeray.
Chief Minister position is not something I yearn for, said Uddhav Thackeray
"I am very thankful for the support you have lent me in the last 2.5 years. Several people have told me that Uddhav Ji when you speak, it feels like you are one of our family. That is all I need. The chief minister position came to me accidentally, it is not something I yearn for," said Uddhav Thackeray.
Maharashtra Crisis: Hindutva is Shiv Sena's identity, says Uddhav Thackeray
"Hindutva is Shiv Sena's identity, we are never going to leave it," said Uddhav Thackeray on Maharashtra crisis.
Maharashtra Crisis: Uddhav Thackeray to go live at 5 pm via Facebook
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will go live at 5 pm via Facebook amid a political crisis in Maharashtra
A chartered flight, carrying Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil and 4 MLAs, leave for Guwahati, Assam, where the rebel leaders are camping.
Maharashtra crisis: Rebel MLAs write to Maharashtra Governor, Deputy Speaker
Supporting MLAs of rebel leader Eknath Shinde has sent a letter to governor and deputy speaker of Maharashtra assembly, saying Mr Shinde who was appointed as legislative party leader of Sena in 2019 will continue to be the leader of legislative party.
They also say that Bharat Gogavle has been appointed as chief whip of the party and they are still with Shiv Sena .
Sena Calls MLAs meet, rebel Eknath Shinde calls it "invalid"
Sena rebel Eknath Shinde tweets Uddhav Thackeray's meeting with party MLAs this evening "invalid"
Maharashtra crisis: All MLAs from Sharad Pawar's party asked to be present in Mumbai, say sources
Amid a political crisis in Maharashtra, all MLAs from Sharad Pawar's party have been asked to be present in Mumbai, said sources.
Several BJP leaders, including Narayan Rane, arrived at Devendra Fadnavis's residence in Mumbai. They will reportedly be discussing Constitutional provisions and the arithmetic required to stake a claim to form a government, sources said. He was in Delhi yesterday to meet the party's high command.
Uddhav Thackeray says no proposal to dissolve Assembly: Maharashtra Congress chiefMaharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Wednesday said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has made it clear that there was no proposal to recommend dissolution of the state Assembly.
Patole's remarks came in the backdrop of reports that the ongoing political developments in the state could lead to dissolution of the Assembly.
Unless the MLAs are back in Mumbai, no decision will be made": Sanjay Raut on speculation over Uddhav Thackeray resigning
No proposal from BJP: Eknath Shinde
As of now we have neither received any proposal from BJP nor are we holding any talks with them: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde
Shiv Sena MLAs have been asked to attend the meeting in messages sent via WhatsApp, email and SMS. Those who do not attend the meeting by 5 pm can may face action.
"If you do not attend this meeting at 5 pm today, it will be presumed that you intend to leave the party and your membership is liable to be cancelled under the law," it reads.
Cabinet meeting ends
Shiv Sena has called a meeting of all MLAs at 5 pm at Uddhav Thackeray's home
Maharashtra cabinet meeting underway
The Maharashtra cabinet meeting has begun. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is attending the meet since he has tested positive for Covid
A meeting of Congress party was held at the residence of Balasaheb Thorat today
Uddhav Thackeray tests Covid positive
Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath told the reporters that Uddhav Thackeray has tested positive and he will chair the cabinet meeting virtually.
All is well in the NCP. I have no knowledge about Uddhav Thackeray resigning. Pawar saheb is meeting NCP MLAs to know what can be done further: Maharashtra Minister Hasan Mushrif
Sharad Pawar expresses displeasure over no intelligence on Eknath Shinde flying out with MLAs in his meeting with Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil and other NCP leaders: Sources
Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari admitted to hospital
Amid the brewing political crisis, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been admitted to a hospital after testing positive for Covid. However, he can be reached via video conferencing
Eknath Shinde is our friend: Sanjay RautEknath Shinde is a old party member, he is our friend, we've worked together for decades. It's neither easy for him nor for us to leave each other, said Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut
"Spoke to Eknath Shinde, they'll come back": Sanjay Raut on rebel MLAs
Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari admitted to hospitalMaharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was admitted to HN Reliance Foundation hospital in Mumbai after he tested positive for Covid-19.
A banner, reading 'Your arrogance would last 4 days, our kingship is inherited', seen outside the residence of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in Mumbai. The banner has been put up by Shiv Sena Corporator Deepmala Badhe. Image credit: ANI
What does the law say on split of a political party in assembly ?
Section 4 of the Tenth Schedule says, "the merger of the original political party of a member of a House shall be deemed to have taken place if, and only if, not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party concerned have agreed to such merger"
Shiv Sena has 55 MLAs:
2/3rd means - 37 MLAs.
If Eknath Shinde manages the support of 37 MLAs, his faction can be recognised as a separate party in the assembly, and they cannot be disqualified for defection under the Anti-Defection law.
Regarding split of a political party in regard to the party and symbol:
Election Commission is the adjudicating authority for any disputes within a party. The ECI is the quasi-judicial forum to settle the disputes.
If two factions claim for the party and the symbol, the faction that holds the majority of
1. MLAs, MPs and MLCs
2. Officer-bearers in the top bodies like Rashtriya Karyarini, Pratinidhi Sabha will be recognised as the party and the party symbol will be allotted to that faction.
Upset With How Congress, Sharad Pawar's Party Function: Rebel Sena MLA
Maharashtra minister Sandipan Bhumare, who is among the dissidents, said they do not have any complaints against the Sena leadership, but they have been upset with the style of function of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, the other two ruling alliance partners in the state.
Maharashtra Congress MLAs meet to discuss political situationAmid the political turmoil in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Maharashtra Congress MLAs held a meeting at Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat's residence in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The meeting was presided over by Maharashtra Congress-incharge HK Patil. In the meeting, 42 out of 44 Congress MLAs were present, along with party leaders Nana Patole, Ashok Chavan and others.
"BJP Will Fail": Shiv Sena Mouthpiece Slams "Traitor" MLAsShiv Sena came down heavily on the BJP today as it faced a crisis in Maharashtra, with several of its MLAs camping in Guwahati led by state minister Eknath Shinde.
Calling the developments a BJP ploy to topple the three-party coalition government led by Uddhav Thackeray, the party asserted in an editorial in its mouthpiece "Saamana" that such attempts will fail.
Read More Kamal Nath to meet Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar
Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will meet Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar in the afternoon ahead of the Maharashtra cabinet meeting, which is scheduled at 1 pm, sources said
Eknath Shinde, MLAs in Radisson Blu Hotel in GuwahatiShiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde and other MLAs are staying in Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati
Himanta Sarma Seen At Guwahati Hotel Before Rebel MLAs Were Brought ThereAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was today seen leaving the Radisson Blu hotel in Guwahati, minutes before the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs were brought there. The MLAs were also received by BJP MLA Sushanta Borgohain.
Maharashtra Crisis Live Updates: Eknath Shinde Says Over 40 MLAs Are With HimSpeaking to NDTV, Eknath Shinde said there are more than 40 MLAs with him. "We are not leaving the Shiv Sena. We will carry forward the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Shiv Sena was formed by Balasaheb based on Hindutva and we will not leave it. We will carry forward his role and ideology," he said.
On his conversation with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Mr Shinde said, "We will stay in the Shiv Sena - Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena. The question of going to another party does not arise."