Mumbai, June 24: Shiv Sena leader and MLA Eknath Shinde, who is camped at Guwahati with the rebel MLAs on Thursday night lashed out at the party after it sought disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs. In a tweet, Shinde said, "You can't scare us by applying for action against 12 MLAs, because we are the real Shiv Sena and Shiv Sainik of the venerable Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray."
As the Maharashtra political crisis enters the fourth day, here are all the latest developments:
Shiv Sena workers outside Matoshree:
#WATCH | Shiv Sena workers continue to remain outside Matoshree (Thackeray residence) in Mumbai as a meeting between CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP leaders, including party chief Sharad Pawar, continues. #MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil pic.twitter.com/5TgTr8rSEr
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut arrives at Matoshree:
#WATCH | Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut arrives at Matoshree (Thackeray residence) in Mumbai.
Amid political turmoil in the state, a meeting between CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP leaders, including party chief Sharad Pawar, is underway at Matoshree pic.twitter.com/kh9zRtDMux
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Amidst the ongoing political crisis, Shiv Sena has called a meeting of its national executive committee at Sena Bhavan in Dadar tomorrow at 1 pm. CM Uddhav Thackeray will join the meeting through video conferencing as he is COVID-19 positive.
Check Tweet:
#MaharashtraPoliticalTurmoil | Shiv Sena calls a meeting of the party's national executive committee at Sena Bhavan, Mumbai tomorrow at 1 pm. CM will join the meeting through video conferencing.
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Maharashtra Police, especially in Mumbai, has been put on high alert as the political turmoil in the state entered its fourth day, news agency ANI reported.
Check Tweet:
All Police stations in Maharashtra, especially those in Mumbai, have been ordered to remain on high alert. Police received info that Shiv Sainiks can take to the streets in large numbers. To ensure that peace prevails, Police have been asked to remain alert: Maharashtra Police pic.twitter.com/V8QGL0NRYR
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday reached out to the functionaries of his party, which is currently battling a rebellion, and sought to allay fears surrounding the survival of his political outfit and the MVA government. “Despite the rebellions that the party has faced earlier, it came to power twice. I may have left ‘Varsha’, the chief minister’s official residence, but not my determination,” he said.
Poster of rebel Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande smeared with ink and a poster showing his picture torn in Mumbai:
Check Tweet:
Maharashtra | Poster of Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande, who is currently camping in Guwahati with rebel party leader Eknath Shinde, smeared with ink and a poster showing his picture torn in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/XXmfCacBAc
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Shiv Sena workers vandalise the office of rebel MLA Mangesh Kundalkar in kurla.
Watch Video:
#WATCH | Maharashtra | Office of rebel MLA Mangesh Kudalkar in Kurla vandalised allegedly by Shiv Sena workers today pic.twitter.com/RhVYGJVw5X
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray hit out at rebel MLA Eknath Shinde saying that his own son is an MP but still comments are made regarding the chief minister’s son. He further said people are levelling false allegations against him.
Check Tweet:
Eknath Shinde's son is an MP from Shiv Sena, I did everything for him. The department I had was given to Shinde. But he is making several allegations against me. I did everything for Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra CM in the meeting: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
'We're Shiv Sainik & will fight'
After attending the party's district leaders' meeting in Mumbai, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that we're Shiv Sainik & will fight & will win. "What they (Rebel MLAs) are doing is not legal&politically not feasible. It's not happening for the first time with Shiv Sena," she said.
Check tweet:
We're Shiv Sainik & will fight & will win. What they (Rebel MLAs) are doing is not legal&politically not feasible. It's not happening for the first time with Shiv Sena. Earlier also it had happened but all in vain.This time also it'll not succeed: Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi pic.twitter.com/QcPgC1qxPU
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Rebel MLAs betrayed the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Dr Neelam Gorhe said that the only option for the (Rebel) MLAs in Guwahati is that they form their own group. "They betrayed the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray and Hindutva. They are the ones who will have to answer to the people of Maharashtra," she said.
Check tweet:
The only option for the (Rebel) MLAs in Guwahati is that they form their own group. They betrayed the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray and Hindutva. They are the ones who will have to answer to the people of Maharashtra: Shiv Sena leader Dr Neelam Gorhe pic.twitter.com/fpAxHQDdpW
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
'We will try to keep govt stable'
Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said that NCP leaders will go to meet CM Uddhav Thackeray at 6.30 pm today at his residence Matoshree in Bandra. "Our stand is the same as yesterday. We will try to keep the govt stable," he said.
Check tweet:
NCP leaders will go to meet CM at 6.30 PM today at Matoshree (Thackeray residence). Our stand is the same as yesterday. We will try to keep the govt stable: Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar#MaharashtraCrisis pic.twitter.com/GJ2BziZD12
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
'Whatever's happening in Maharashtra seems pre-planned'
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that BJP is destabilising non-BJP state governments by all means. "Whatever's happening in Maharashtra seems pre-planned," he said. Yadav said that BJP either pressurises, scares or buys. "Even in Bihar, people rejected BJP but CM Nitish Kumar was pressurised and same happened in the state," he said.
Check tweet:
BJP is destabilising non-BJP state govts by all means. Whatever's happening in Maharashtra seems pre-planned. Either they pressurise, scare or they buy.Even in Bihar, people rejected BJP but CM Nitish Kumar was pressurised & same happened in the state...:RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav pic.twitter.com/9wSfcJDveP
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
BJP is using all its resources to oust Uddhav Thackeray
On the other hand, Congress leader AR Chowdhury said that from the day Uddhav Thackeray took over as Maharashtra CM, BJP is using all its resources, and muscle power with a single objective to oust him from power. "MVA govt is gradually earning the trust of the common people but it can't be digested by BJP." he said.
Check tweet:
Kolkata | From the day Uddhav Thackeray took over as Maharashtra CM,BJP is using all its resources, muscle power,with a single objective to oust him from power... MVA govt is gradually earning the trust of the common people but it can't be digested by BJP: Congress' AR Chowdhury pic.twitter.com/IjmGhVbOEr
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Another Shiv Sena MLA identified as Dilip Lande joined the rebel MLAs at Guwahati hotel in Assam.
Deputy Speaker approves Ajay Chaudhary's appointment
Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker has approved Shiv Sena's proposal to appoint MLA Ajay Chaudhary as Shiv Sena legislative party leader in the state Assembly. A letter in this regard was sent to the Shiv Sena office secretary by the Deputy speaker's office.
Check tweet:
Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly approves Shiv Sena's proposal to appoint MLA Ajay Chaudhary as Shiv Sena legislative party leader in the state Assembly. A letter in this regard was sent to the Shiv Sena office secretary by the Deputy speaker's office pic.twitter.com/DiDYzp9tcG
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Bhupen Kumar Borah asks Eknath Shinde to leave Assam at the earliest
In the midst of the political crisis in Maharashtra, Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah has written a letter to Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and asked him to leave Assam at the earliest "in the interest of the state".
"Assam defamed by your presence considering Guwahati as a safe heaven for MLAs who have no respect for constitutional values and loyalty at all," the letter read.
Check tweet:
Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah in his letter to Eknath Shinde -"Assam defamed by your presence considering Guwahati as a safe heaven for MLAs who have no respect for constitutional values and loyalty at all."
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
We will win on the floor of the house: Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will win on the floor of the house. Raut said that the rebel MLAs have taken a very wrong step. "We also gave them a chance to return to Mumbai. Now, we challenge them to come to Mumbai," he said.
He also said that CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar are in constant touch. All leaders of NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena are in touch with each other.
Check tweet:
Mumbai | We will win on the Floor of the House, we won't give up. They (MLAs) have taken a very wrong step. We also gave them a chance to return to Mumbai. Now, we challenge them to come to Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on rebel MLAs pic.twitter.com/d934TwAe1t
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
'Uddhav Thackeray's time is up'
Reacting to the political situation in Maharashtra, Dr. Ramdas Athawale, MoS and President of the Republican Party of India said Uddhav Thackeray's time is up. "Most MLAs will go with Eknath Shinde (rebel Shiv Sena MLA) and he will form government with BJP," he said.
Check tweet:
Delhi | Uddhav Thackeray's time is up. Most MLAs will go with Eknath Shinde (rebel Shiv Sena MLA) and he will form government with BJP: Dr.Ramdas Athawale, MoS and President, Republican Party of India on the political situation in Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/GZtvP3NUtN
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Guwahati police arrest Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Bhosale
The Shiv Sena has called a meeting of the party's district presidents to be chaired by CM Uddhav Thackeray at Shiv Sena Bhawan, Mumbai at 12 pm, today.
Amid the political instability in Maharashtra, the Guwahati police on Friday arrested Sanjay Bhosale, deputy district chief of Shiv Sena, who was present near Radisson Blu hotel in Assam. Bhosale had come to Assam to urge party MLAs and Eknath Shinde to return to Maharashtra. "This is a sensitive area. Action will be taken as per law," police official said.
Check tweet:
Guwahati | Police detain Sanjay Bhosale, deputy district chief of Shiv Sena from Maharashtra's Satara, who was present near Radisson Blu hotel to urge party MLAs lodged at the hotel to return to Maharashtra
This is a sensitive area. Action will be taken as per law, say police. pic.twitter.com/eSdsB4oRL5
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
Tally of Eknath Shinde's MLAs to cross 50
According to sources, the strength of Shiv Sena MLAs in the Eknath Shinde camp is expected to cross 50 mark as more MLAs are likely to reach Guwahati today. Last night, three more MLAs arrived at the Guwahati hotel thereby taking the number to 44. The three leaders who arrived at the hotel included MLA and Agriculture Minister Dada Bhuse, MLA Sanjay Rathore and MLC Ravindra Phatak.
Check tweet:
Maharashtra political crisis | The strength of Shiv Sena MLAs in the Eknath Shinde camp is expected to cross 50 as more MLAs are likely to reach Guwahati today: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
After Eknath Shinde shared his letter on Twitter, Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat on Friday said that MLAs informed Uddhav Thackeray that whether it is Congress or NCP, both are trying to eliminate Shiv Sena. "Numerous times the MLAs sought time from Uddhav ji to meet him but he never met them," he said.
Check tweet:
If you look at the constituency of any Shiv Sena MLA, from the Tehsildar to the revenue officer, no official is appointed in consultation with the MLA. We told this to Uddhav ji many times but he never responded to it: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2022
The latest developments suggest rebel leader Eknath Shinde has reached the magic number of 50 MLAs. Eknath Shindhe on Friday morning claimed more than 50 MLAs are supporting him, including 40 from Shiv Sena.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2022 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).