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.
