Shiv Sena MLAs, who have rebelled against the party bringing a crisis to the government in Maharashtra, are being taken to Assam and expected to reach Guwahati early Wednesday, sources said.
Amid a political turmoil in his state, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray met several Maharashtra leaders in back-to-back meetings. In the meeting with Shiv Sena leaders, he said he was confident that rebel minister Eknath Shinde will return to the party soon.
Uddhav Thackeray's aides met with Eknath Shinde. During the meeting that lasted for nearly two hours, Eknath Shinde spoke to Mr Thackeray over the phone, as per sources. The senior leader demanded a-Shiv Sena alliance government in the state during the ten-minute phone call, they said.
Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and Shiv Sena strongman Eknath Shinde plunged the ruling alliance in the state into a political crisis as he rebelled against his party and landed in a Surat hotel in Gujarat - ruled by the BJP - along with some Sena MLAs, putting a huge question mark on the stability of the two-and-a-half-years old MVA dispensation.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party swiftly moved against Mr Shinde (58), an MLA from Thane district, and removed him as the party's group leader in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Here are the Highlights on Maharashtra Political Crisis:
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, with 33 party MLAs and seven independent MLAs, who were staying at Le Meridien hotel in Surat left Surat International Airport for Assam's Guwahati on wee hours of Wednesday.
Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde, who had been camping out in Surat with 21 MLAs, has reached the Gujarat airport. They were being flown out to Assam
Uddhav Thackeray told Shiv Sena leaders he believed rebel Eknath Shinde will return to party, said sources.
Sharad Pawar is meeting leaders of his party at his residence amid Maharashtra political crisis. Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil reached Mr Pawar's home after meeting with Uddhav Thackeray.
Uddhav Thackeray's meeting with MVA leaders end. Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil have reached Silver Oak bungalow (Sharad Pawar's bungalow). Congress leaders have reached Royal stone bungalow (Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Thorat's bungalow).
Sharad Pawar is expected to come to Uddhav Thackeray's bungalow in sometime
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan today admitted that the BJP indeed has the numbers it is claiming -- 134 in a house of 287 -- as crisis hit Maharashtra's ruling alliance, in which his party is a member. The whole operation, Mr Chavan told NDTV, "was orchestrated from Delhi" and a "huge amounts of money have changed hands".
Union minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that he lacked the support of sufficient MLAs in the Assembly in view of the revolt by Sena minister Eknath Shinde who is camping in Surat with some MLAs of his party.
"Because of Mr Shinde's move, Uddhav Thackeray (who heads Shiv Sena) does not have the support of sufficient MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. He should tender his resignation," Rane demanded.
Mr Rane is the first Union minister and BJP leader to take a public stand over the issue.
So far, several BJP leaders have been trading cautiously over Eknath Shinde's decision to go incommunicado and camp in Surat with MLAs.
"Shinde was not treated with respect in Shiv Sena by party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray's son and cabinet minister Aaditya and his cousin brother Varun Sardesai were also interfering in the Shinde-controlled Urban Development department. Hence, it is the right decision for him to leave Sena," Rane said.
Shiv Sena leader Milind Narvekar met Eknath Shinde and other rebel party MLAs camped in Gujarat's Surat on Tuesday. During the meeting that lasted for nearly two hours, Milind Narvekar made Eknath Shinde speak to Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray over the phone, as per sources.
"Two of our people went there (Surat). Talks happened with Eknath Shinde. He is our old friend...Everyone knows why we left BJP and Eknath Shinde is also a witness to that," said Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on the political situation in Maharashtra
Amid a political row in Maharashtra, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's residence, not very far from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's home, wore a deserted look.
After Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde went incommunicado triggering a crisis in the ruling Shiv Sena, the Congress, a constituent of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, on Tuesday said all its 44 MLAs were in touch with Legislature Party leader and state revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat.
The party statement also refuted reports that Thorat had quit as CLP leader terming them "mischievous and false.
🔴 #JustIn | After meeting #EknathShinde for about two hours, #ShivSena leaders Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Phatak leave the Le Meridian in Surat.
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | NCP leader and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil and Congress leader and Cabinet Minister Ashok Chavan reach Chief Minister's residence in Mumbai for a crucial meeting with #UddhavThackeray.
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | Shiv Sena leaders met the Deputy Speaker of State Assembly Narhari Zirwal and handed over him a letter requesting to remove Eknath Shinde from the Legislative party leader's post and replace him with Ajay Chaudhary.
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/kNzMJ2T4F5
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | 3 #ShivSena MLAs, close to rebel #EknathShinde, meet Chief Minister #UddhavThackeray in Mumbai
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
NDTV's Sohit Mishra reports from the CM's residence in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/QRT0IPzVDC
#NDTVExclusive | Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on the #MaharashtraPoliticalCrisis
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
🔴 Watch LIVE: https://t.co/hMlRpgaRS6 pic.twitter.com/adJISIowFA
Maharashtra Political Crisis: Watch From NDTV's NewsroomAmid the ongoing political developments in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena on Tuesday sacked Eknath Shinde as the party's chief whip after he reportedly moved to a Surat hotel in Gujarat, along with 21 other MLAs.
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | #ShivSena Leader Milind Narvekar meets #EknathShinde at a hotel in Surat.
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
Our alliance is with Shiv Sena, what's happening in their house is Shive Sena's responsibility&Uddhav Thackeray will look into it.Our govt (in Maharashtra) will continue...Even BJP can't form govt,they can buy some people to create instability but won't succeed:Cong' Harish Rawat pic.twitter.com/NCqNrphri9
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Maharashtra Political Crisis: 3 Shiv Sena MLAs, close to rebel Eknath Shinde, meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Congress said, "All Congress MLAs are in touch with State President Nana Patole and Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and whatever news is there regarding the MLAs being not reachable is completely baseless. The news related to the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat from the post of Congress Legislature Party leader is also wrong as he is keeping an eye on the whole situation from his residence."
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | | Shiv Sena leaders Milind Narvekar and Ravi Pathak reach Le Meridien hotel in Surat where some Shiv Sena leaders are staying.
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/4fu8yrS725
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | "I think the government is stable in Maharashtra, nothing to worry. Maharashtra government will complete its full course": Congress's Sachin Pilot
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/shah9YtPTJ
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | #ShivSena show of strength at #UddhavThackeray's home, #SharadPawar to meet CM later today
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
NDTV's Sohit Mishra reports from the CM's residence in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/c1WMII1cSz
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | "There's a sort of storm that has come up in Maharashtra's politics. If a storm comes, then it'll calm down and will recede as well. The situation will become normal again": NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/HTaiMjLYuh
#NewsAlert | Eknath Shinde removes Shiv Sena from his Twitter handle bio amid the ongoing crisis in #MahaVikasAghadi pic.twitter.com/Q2f9uEspJm
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#MaharashtraPolitics | #ShivSena workers asked to assemble at the Shiv Sena Bhavan at 4 pm today. Party will protest against the BJP across the state today. pic.twitter.com/4wflwJtUo3
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
Amid unrest in the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, the Congress on Tuesday deputed its senior leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath as AICC observer in the state.
The decision came soon after reports that some Shiv Sena MLAs led by dissident leader Eknath Shinde are camping in Gujarat and could pose a threat to the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
"The Congress president has deputed Kamal Nath as All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer in the wake of recent political developments in the state, with immediate effect," said an official communication from the Congress.
The Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra has been plunged into turmoil with 22 MLAs, led by sulking Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde moving to BJP-ruled Gujarat.
The total strength of Maharashtra Assembly is 288. With one legislator dead, the number is down to 287. This means the majority mark in the Assembly, in the event of a trust vote, is now 144.
"It's too early to say anything, we're currently waiting and keeping an eye on the situation. Nor Shinde has sent proposal to BJP for government formation neither BJP has sent any proposal to him": Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil amid Maharashtra political crisis
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/UpGOe18ffZ
The Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra has been plunged into turmoil with 22 MLAs, led by sulking Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde moving to BJP-ruled Gujarat.
This comes hours after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance and the BJP won five seats each in the Legislative Council elections.
The total strength of Maharashtra Assembly is 288. With one legislator dead, the number is down to 287. This means the majority mark in the Assembly, in the event of a trust vote, is now 144.
The MVA government of the Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress currently has 152 legislators.
#Breaking | Eknath Shinde sacked as Shiv Sena's chief whip
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
Ask something sensible, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar scoffed at a reporter when asked if his party is open to going with the BJP in case the Maharashtra government falls due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Mr Pawar on Tuesday alleged that a third attempt is being made to pull down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra but expressed confidence that Chief Minister Udhhav Thackeray will be able to handle the situation.
#BREAKING | "We are staunch Shiv Sainiks": Eknath Shinde tweets as he camps in Gujarat with several party MLAs pic.twitter.com/LLLXbQtwrd
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
Congress appoints Kamal Nath as the party's Observer to Maharashtra "in wake of recent political developments in the state." pic.twitter.com/TIcf8OwMjV
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Tuesday said there was no threat to the state Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and his party leaders would discuss the current political developments in the state during a meeting in Mumbai.
Nana Patole's comments came in the wake of Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde along with some Sena MLAs apparently camping in Gujarat's Surat city, a day after the Sena-led MVA, which also comprises the NCP and Congress, suffered a setback in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls by losing one out of the six seats it contested.
"Maharashtra government running smoothly": Sharad Pawar amid #MahaVikasAghadi crisis
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
NDTV's Akshay Dongare reports pic.twitter.com/spWC5rrhsc
Delhi | Nothing is happening in Maharashtra, they'll (MLAs) come back and will remain a part of the government in the state. Our government in Maharashtra is & will remain stable: Congress leader DK Shivakumar on the political situation in Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/WA1m4OjpOI
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Watch LIVE | NCP Chief Sharad Pawar addresses the media amid Maharashtra political crisis https://t.co/3AwQrRfDr7
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022#NewsAlert | Thackeray aide to meet Eknath Shinde, Sena leaders Milind Narvekar, Ravi Phatak on their way to Surat #Maharashtra
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
➡️ Over 35 MLAs (out of 56 Sena MLAs) at Chief Minister's emergency meet amid revolt: sources
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
➡️Sharad Pawar to meet Thackeray at 8:30 pm
➡️Chief Minister offers Deputy Chief Minister post to rebel minister Shinde: sources
➡️ "We have 135 MLAs": State BJP chief claims pic.twitter.com/vUe8MuzPkk
A Look At Maharashtra Numbers As Sulking Minister, MLAs Camp In GujaratThe Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra appears to be in trouble after minister and Sena leader Eknath Shinde reportedly moved to a hotel in Surat in BJP-ruled Gujarat with 21other party MLAs.
#NewsAlert | Press conference at Sharad Pawar's residence at 2pm
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#Maharashtra | NCP Chief Sharad Pawar is likely to meet Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at 8.30 pm in Mumbai: Sources
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
A Look At Maharashtra Numbers As Sulking Minister, MLAs Camp In Gujarat https://t.co/7z0cxRjj9x pic.twitter.com/ayLkEXXlXR
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#Maharashtra | "There is certainly anger against the Sena leadership, which was clear during the #RajyaSabha polls and yesterday's MLC polls. We had 113 MLAs but received some 20 odd extra votes": Kripashankar Singh, BJP Leader pic.twitter.com/FbX1MdHntf
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
As Maharashtra Sena Minister Eknath Shinde Goes Incommunicado, BJP Denies Role In ItMaharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said his party has got nothing to do with political developments in the ruling Shiv Sena, whose minister Eknath Shinde has gone incommunicado along with some MLAs.
#Maharashtra | Congress MLAs to meet shortly, says Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan pic.twitter.com/tDlCMgR13h
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
I will not comment on what is happening with any other party but we will discuss it in the right place if it is needed. This is not something to be discussed in public: Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on some MLAs of Shiv Sena and Eknath Shinde currently not reachable pic.twitter.com/oNUlgosnjk
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Under Control, Says Sena, Amid Every Sign That It Really Isn'tAs a crisis towered above the Maharashtra landscape today, the Shiv Sena claimed that the developments are a blip that will be resolved before the day is over.
"Uddhav Thackeray is no match to Sharad Pawar's political maneuvering skills": Jayant Mainkar, Senior Journalist #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/u3u4CrSOHu
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#Maharashtra | Celebrations in BJP amid crisis in #MahaVikasAghadi pic.twitter.com/XXnywNznMB
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
#Maharashtra | Shiv Sena MLAs arrive at Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai amid crisis
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
NDTV's Saurabh Gupta reports pic.twitter.com/TtdbCcJpIu
#Maharashtra | 21 MLAs with Sena's Eknath Shinde: Sources
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
NDTV's Saurabh Gupta reports pic.twitter.com/CUarCN2K6z
Pune | BJP workers celebrate party's victory in Maharashtra MLC elections pic.twitter.com/nQsBGSpcsX
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
"Eknath Shinde A Loyal Party Worker": Sena's Sanjay Raut On SpeculationsSanjay Raut accused the BJP of trying to weaken Sena in Maharashtra. "Gujarat leaders have kept them in Surat. We spoke to several of them who want to come back but aren't being allowed to. It's a siege," he said.
We're minutely observing the turn of events. It's a little premature to say that it'll lead to any changes. It's a handle-with-care situation. We have to see it very keenly. We are observing all situations: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on political turmoil in the state pic.twitter.com/WVGNjI1a9p
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Here's the number game in the #Maharashtra Legislative Assembly amid the ongoing crisis in #MahaVikasAghadi pic.twitter.com/i8DpsxVmqI
- NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2022
Who Is Eknath Shinde, Minister At Heart Of Crisis For Team ThackerayMr Shinde has reportedly been upset with the party for some time now after being deliberately sidelined. He enjoys a good relationship with all parties.
Mumbai | Shiv Sena leader & Maharasthra Minister Anil Parab arrives at the Enforcement Directorate office to appear before the agency, in connection with an alleged money laundering case
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Maharashtra | Congress leaders meet at party leader Balasaheb Thorat's official residence, Royal Stone bungalow in Mumbai; party leader Ashok Chavan arrives for the meeting pic.twitter.com/bMTTcV3NxU
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Maharashtra is different but is it their property? BJP is the largest party here, Devendra Fadnavis a popular leader. It is nobody's property. It can see what you did in 2.5 yrs. It's our duty to set things right. We care for Maharashtra, they care about power: Pravin Darekar,BJP https://t.co/hpGw5IinrK pic.twitter.com/xNSgi1akQy
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
BJP misuses its power, they are taking the Indian democracy towards untruthfulness. I am sure the truth will win. I have called a meeting of all Maharashtra Congress leaders today: Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole on MLC elections pic.twitter.com/KRtbJdCdYs
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Some MLAs of Shiv Sena and Eknath Shinde are currently not reachable. Efforts are being made to topple the MVA government but BJP has to remember that Maharashtra is very different from Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut pic.twitter.com/cDUFjfm9pf
- ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
Maharashtra Minister And Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde: Team Uddhav Thackeray In Trouble - Key Leader Missing With MLAs: 10 PointsMaharashtra Minister and top Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has reportedly moved to a hotel in Gujarat's Surat with 13 other party MLAs, setting off alarm bells in the Uddhav Thackeray government.
