Maharashtra Political Crisis: Fighting to Free Shiv Sena And Its Workers From Clutches of MVA Govt, Says Eknath Shinde

Mumbai, June 25: On Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray attacked rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and dared them to win the elections "without using the name of Shiv Sena or the Thackerays". As the Maharashtra political crisis enters its fifth day today, the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress have both committed to stand by Thackeray and save the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Here are all the latest developments:

Putting forth reasons as to why he chose to put up a rebellion against the ruling Maharashtra coalition, and in turn Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde on Saturday tweeted: “Shiv Sena workers must understand that I want to free the party and its workers from the clutches of the MVA government and I have been working for the same. This battle is for the betterment of the party and its workers.”

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All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said they were keeping an eye on the unfolding drama.

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Will Not Forget the betrayal by the rebels, Says Aaditya Thackeray

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Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar, while speaking on behalf of the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde, said that the MLAs are still a part of the Shiv Sena and would be setting up a separate block of the party. “We are not going to merge with anyone. We will be setting up a separate block of the party. I have always told the CM that the Sena needs to be with the BJP. The synergy between a BJP Prime Minister and the state CM is important for the development of the state.”

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'Won't compromise with ideology of a united Maharashtra'

After holding a national executive committee meeting, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the work that CM Uddhav Thackeray has done is commendable. "We will all fight the elections under his leadership," Raut said. He also stated that they passed 6 resolutions and have decided to follow the Hindutva ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray. Raut said that they won't compromise with the ideology of a united Maharashtra.

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Disqualification notice issued to 16 rebel MLAs

The Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly has issued a disqualification notice to 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs of the Eknath Shinde camp who are currently staying in Guwahati, Assam. All the 16 MLAs have been asked to file their written replies by Monday, June 27.

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Sena workers burn effigies of rebel MLAs

Meanwhile, a meeting of Eknath Shinde group is underway at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, Assam. The next course of action is being discussed in the meeting. In the meantime, Shiv Sena workers protested against rebel MLAs of the party and burnt effigies outside the party office in Kharghar.

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'No one should use Balasaheb Thackeray's name'

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that rebel MLAs can do whatever they want to do., I won't interfere in their matters. "They can take their own decision, but no one should use Balasaheb Thackeray's name," he said.

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Section 144 imposed in Mumbai

After Thane, the Mumbai Police has now imposed Section 144 in the city in wake of the political crisis in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, security heightened outside Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's residence in Thane. At present, Shinde is staying at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, Assam, along with other rebel MLAs of the state.

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Shinde-led rebel MLAs name their faction 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'

Sena Former MoS Home and rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar told ANI that the new group formed by the Eknath Shinde camp is 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. Reacting to the same, Congress leader Ashok Chavan said that such type of groups will not be authorised until it gets legal authorization from speaker.

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We are waiting & watching: Ramdas Athawale

Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said that he spoke with Devendra Fadnavis who said that they don't have anything to do with the internal conflict in Shiv Sena. "Uddhav Thackeray & Eknath Shinde will themselves resolve the dispute between them, we don't have anything to do with that. We are waiting & watching," Athawale said. He also said that they haven't thought about forming government.

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Rana requests for President's Rule in Maharashtra

Amravati MP Navneet Rana on Saturday requested Home Minister Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray and making their own decisions, and staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. "Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended...I request for President's Rule in state," she said.

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'Congress is with the Maha Vikas Aghadi'

Karnataka Cong Chief, DK Shivakumar said that he hoped CM Uddhav Thackeray has confidence as he's built the party from the grassroots. "The party needs the present govt to continue. Congress is with the Maha Vikas Aghadi, jointly we will take it forward," he said.

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'Ensure security at all political offices'

The Mumbai police has issued a high alert and asked all Police Stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.

Rebel MLA Tanaji Sawant's office vandalised

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the office of rebel MLA Tanaji Sawant in Balaji area of Katraj, Pune. Sawant is one of the rebel MLAs from the state and is currently camping in Guwahati, Assam. "Our party worker vandalised Tanaji Sawant's office. All traitors and rebel MLAs who have troubled our chief Uddhav Thackeray will face this type of action. Their office will also be attacked... No one will be spared," Sanjay More, Pune city head, Shiv Sena said.

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Maha Home Minister responds to allegation by Shinde camp

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said that neither the Chief Minister nor the Home Department has ordered the withdrawal of security of any MLA. The allegations being levelled through Twitter are false and completely baseless.

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'Stop bleating like a goat'

Responding to Shinde's letter over the withdrawal of security of family members of 38 MLAs, Sanjay Raut said, "You are an MLA, so security has been provided to you. Your family members can't be provided with the same." He also asked the BJP leaders to stop bleating like a goat. "Right now Shiv Sainiks have not come out on the streets. If they do, the streets will be on fire," Raut said.

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'We'll see each other in elections'

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the party is very big, and cannot be hijacked with such ease. "No one can break it with money," he said. Raut also advised Devendra Fadnavis (BJP leader) to not get involved in this matter, and save whatever is left of his dignity.

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Section 144 imposed in Thane district

Amid the ongoing political instability in Maharashtra, the Thane District Administration has issued an order banning any kind of political procession, gathering, or sloganeering in the district till June 30. Besides, the Thane Police has at present has imposed Sec 144 CrPC in Thane city.

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'Government is responsible for protecting them and their families'

Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde has written a letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Home Minister, DGP Maharashtra regarding "Malicious withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs". "The government is responsible for protecting them and their families," Shinde said in his tweet.

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Shinde calls meeting of rebel MLAs

According to sources, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has called a meeting of rebel MLAs at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati this afternoon in order to discuss further strategy.

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As the number of the Eknath Shinde camp crossed 50 with more MLAs joining him , the Shiv Sena has called a meeting of its national executive committee at Sena Bhavan in Dadar today.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2022 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).