Maharashtra Political Crisis: Can't scare us, says Shinde after Sena demands disqualification of rebel MLAs

Can't scare us: Eknath Shinde after Sena demands disqualification of rebel MLAs

Rebel leader Eknath Shinde has hit back at the Shiv Sena after the party on Thursday wrote to the Maharashtra Assembly deputy speaker seeking the disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs. Taking to Twitter, Shinde wrote, "You cannot scare us by giving the names of 12 MLAs for disqualification because we are followers of the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. We know the law, so we do not pay heed to threats."

MLA of Shiv Sena’s most prestigious seat joins rebel Shinde’s camp

Three more Shiv Sena MLAs joined the rebel camp in Guwahati on Wednesday night adding to the numbers required by the Eknath Shinde faction to form a separate unit or assert its will over the party. Among the three was Mahim MLA Sada Sarvankar, whose defection may be a sign of how deep the resentment runs against the Sena leadership. Sarvankar is an MLA from the prestigious Mahim constituency, which is the seat of Shiv Sena Bhavan and Shivaji Park where the Sena was founded.

Congress urges CM to seek floor test

Senior Congressmen Thursday urged the CM to seek a special session of the legislature for a floor test in view of the fluid situation. A senior Congressman said in order to put the rebels on the defensive, Thackeray should act fast and approach the governor for a special session. “It will give us a chance to prove our majority on the floor of the House,” he said.

Sena insiders claimed that at least a dozen of the 19 Sena MPs have thrown their weight behind Eknath Shinde.

“None of these party MPs have overtly said anything to suggest that they are backing Shinde. But covertly, they are backing Shinde since their political future would be more secure if there is alliance between BJP and the Shinde faction,” said a Sena leader. When contacted, a Sena MP refused to comment, but admitted that the party’s alliance with BJP in the past had been smooth, unlike the present one with NCP and Congress. Shrirang Barane, a Sena MP, told TOI that he is with the party, but did not clarify his stand.

Amid flux, Shinde camp tally crosses anti-defection mark

While many say Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s uprising was in the works for the last few weeks if not months, the cross voting by MLAs during the Rajya Sabha and MLC polls precipitated the developments that took the rebels to Surat and then Guwahati. Shinde accompanied by a few legislators had made a sudden trip to Upvan following last week’s MLC polls where they finalised their move before leaving for Surat, close confidantes and party colleagues of Shinde said.

Congress and NCP reacted cautiously, saying Raut's offer to the rebels was an internal matter of the party and they both continued to support Thackeray as CM.

Apart from Shinde, Shiv Sena has sought disqualification of Prakash Surve, Tanaji Sawant, Mahesh Shinde, Abdul Sattar, Sandeep Bhumare, Bharat Gogawale, Sanjay Shirsat, Yamini Yadhav, Anil Babar, Balaji Devdas, and Lata Chaudhari.

Eknath Shinde exudes confidence in victory of MLAs present at Guwahati hotel

Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde, who was elected leader by rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, on Wednesday, exuded confidence in the victory of the Shinde camp saying that they will face everything with full unity. He also said the MLAs who are in a Guwahati hotel will be victorious in the end. Shinde was elected leader at a meeting of rebel MLAs at the Guwahati hotel where they are staying.

BJP trying to topple Maharashtra govt to ensure requisite votes for presidential polls: Mamata

"The BJP government is bulldozing democracy. I feel very sad, and it is unfortunate that it is demolishing the federal structure of this country. It is attempting to topple the Maharashtra government in an unethical and unconstitutional manner," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat.

All 37 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs declare Eknath Shinde as leader in signed letter

The letter has the signatures of 37 Shiv Sena MLAs and a copy of the letter has been sent to deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal, governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, and secretary to the Legislative Council Rajendra Bhagwat.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde wrote to the deputy speaker of Maharashtra assembly regarding the reaffirmation of his appointment as the leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party & further appointment of Bharatshet Gogawale as the chief whip of the party.

Priyanka only transited through Mumbai to be with her daughter in Maldives: Congress

In the wake of reports that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was in Mumbai amid the Maharashtra political turmoil, the Congress on Thursday said she only transited through Mumbai to be with her daughter who turns 20 and is completing an instructor level diving course in the Maldives. The Congress clarification came amid reports that the party general secretary had reached Mumbai where hectic political activities are on with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, of which the Congress is a part, battling to survive following a rebellion by a group of Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde.

Maharashtra Independent MLAs Kishor Jorgewar and Geeta Jain also reached the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati late on Thursday.

Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs whose names have been proposed for disqualification:

1. Eknath Shinde 2. Prakash Surve 3. Tanaji Sawant 4. Mahesh Shinde 5. Abdul Sattar 6. Sandeep Bhumare 7. Bharat Gogawale 8. Sanjay Shirsat 9. Yamini Yadhav 10. Anil Babar 11. Balaji Devdas 12. Lata Chaudhari