Maharashtra ruling alliance in turmoil as Sena leader Shinde rebels; CM Thackeray calls cabinet meet on Wednesday

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, June 21

Massive trouble is brewing in the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi, leading to existential crisis not just in the government but also the party led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. After cross-voting in favour of opposition BJP in the MLC election, putting the Thackeray-led government on the line, rebel Sena leaders led by Eknath Shinde (a virtual number two in the ruling dispensation) last night landed in Gujarat’s Surat, giving rise to multiple possibilities, including a split in Sena.   

As about two dozen Sena MLAs went underground, sources said Shinde in his communication with Thackeray demanded a “patch-up with estranged ally BJP” claiming support of 35 MLAs. Though to avoid the anti-defection law, the support of at least 37 MLAs is required   

There is still no clarity over exact numbers on the two sides, as according to some reports, there are around 21 MLAs in Gujarat, five of them ministers, and an Independent MLA. There are 56 Sena MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.

Shinde, who is yet to speak to the media, tweeting in Marathi, saying, “we are staunch Shiv Sainiks ... Balasaheb has taught us Hindutva  and will never betray his ideology and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb’s teachings”.

Though he did not name Thackeray, observers said it was clear who he was targeting. “Sena leaders are worried about shifting of power to Aditya Thackeray, dilution of real ideology (Hindutva) and their growing distance with Thackeray”.

Facing his biggest political challenge so far, Thackeray is putting up a brave face with a show of strength at the Sena Bhavan. He met Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and dispatched close confidantes, Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Phatak, to speak to Shinde.

At the same time, he also removed Shinde from the post of Legislature Party leader in the Assembly. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the leadership is in touch with rebel MLAs, some of whom are being “held against their will by the state police in the BJP-ruled Gujarat”. 

He said BJP’s attempts at ‘Operation Kamala’ will not work in Maharashtra.

On Shinde’s demand to return to the NDA fold, Raut said he (Shinde) knows why Sena left the side of the BJP.

“Everything will be fine. Eknath Shinde is a Shiv Sena loyalist. We are in touch with our MLAs, they will all return. They are all dedicated Shiv Sainiks, they were with us in difficult times, these are good times,” Raut said, calling it a BJP’s plot to “defame Maharashtra and destabilise the MVA government”.

The BJP, meanwhile, claimed no hand whatsoever in Sena woes though some leaders said 35 MLAs were in touch with it. There were also speculations of possibility of demand for “President’s rule” and attempts to bring down strength of the House through resignations to stake claim. Observers said it eventually depends upon how many MLAs Shinde can bring over to his side.

BJP’s Maharashtra party chief Chandrakant Patil said the leadership was keeping a close watch. On why Shinde landed in the BJP-ruled Gujarat, Patil said the Sena leader had good relations with all parties and had many friends. “He must have tried many friends and decided on Surat,” he said.

The buzz is that Fadnavis, who has consulted the central leadership, may meet Shinde in Gujarat. Patil said MLAs like Sanjay Kute met Shinde in their “personal capacity”.

MVA ally NCP called it an internal matter of Sena while Congress president Sonia Gandhi dispatched former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath to safeguard its MLAs.

Speaking to the media in Delhi, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar accused BJP of trying to topple the Aghadi government. Asserting that he was confident of a solution soon, Pawar added that “cross-voting” can happen at times during such elections.

The BJP has been planning to topple the government for two-and-a-half years now, Pawar said. He also dismissed speculations that Shinde wanted to be in the top post instead of Thackeray.

Notably, the BJP won five of 10 MLC seats with the MVA winning the remaining five—two each from Sena and NCP and one from Congress.

Who is Eknath Shinde

Known as a “true Shiv sainik’, Eknath Shinde is one of the most powerful leaders of the ruling Shiv Sena. A multiple time MLA, he currently represents Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency (Thane) in the state Assembly. A mass leader, Shinde enjoys widespread support and is also credited with strengthening the party in other parts, something which Raut also admitted today.

Shinde said to be upset over being sidelined in the party and the government and “interference” of Uddhav Thackeray’ son Aditya, a junior minister in the government, in the functioning of his ministry. Shinde and his supporters had also complained about “step-motherly treatment” of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (NCP leader) in the allocation of funds to his ministry. Apparently he was hoping to be anointed the CM after being appointed the legislative party leader.  

From working in a beer brewery and driving an auto rickshaw to becoming one of the most powerful leaders in Sena after Thackerays, it remains to be seen whether Shinde will join the ranks of leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal and Narayan Rane.

22:06 21 Jun

Thackeray shifts Sena MLAs to hotel

While Shinde claimed the support of 35 MLAs, Thackeray too shifted MLAs who had pledged allegiance to him to a hotel in Mumbai.

22:01 21 Jun

CM Thackeray calls cabinet meeting  

Uddhav Thackerat has called a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. He is also believed to have asked Shinde to reconsider his demand and asked the MLAs that how could Sena now go with the BJP.

19:44 21 Jun

CM's representatives meet Shinde in Surat hotel, leave for Mumbai     

Two leaders of Shiv Sena dispatched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray met and held a detailed discussion with rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and other MLAs at a hotel in Surat on Tuesday to defuse the internecine crisis having the potential to threaten the survival of the MVA government in the neighbouring state. The discussions were held between Thackeray's confidants Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Phatak and Shinde and other MLAs at the hotel where they have been camping since the late Monday night.

16:46 21 Jun

Surat hotel housing Shinde, rebel Sena MLAs turns into fortress   

As Maharashtra's ruling coalition battles for survival in Mumbai, some 280km away in Surat in BJP-ruled Gujarat, a luxury hotel has become the focus of all attention as it is currently hosting dissident Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde and some rebel party MLAs, and the property has been turned into a virtual fortress with nearly 400 policemen guarding it since early Tuesday morning.

16:41 21 Jun

Some BJP MLAs meeting Eknath Shinde camping in Surat

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said some MLAs of the BJP will meet Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde camping in a Surat hotel in their "personal capacity" even as he distanced his party from the ongoing political turmoil.  Patil also said if BJP receives any proposal from Eknath Shinde to form a government, they would "definitely consider it".

14:58 21 Jun

We were taught Hindutva by Balasaheb Thackeray: Shinde

Shinde says "we were taught Hindutva by Balasaheb Thackeray and will never betray his ideology."

Shinde has not named Uddhav Thackeray, however, he appears to be targetting him

14:56 21 Jun

Thackeray sacks Eknath as legislature party leader

Sources say Uddhav Thackeray has rejected Eknath Shinde’s proposal and sacked him as legislature party leader.

BJP MLA Sanjay Kute is in Surat to meet rebel MLAs.

Another BJP MLA Girish Mahajan will also reach Surat by evening.

14:33 21 Jun

Maharashtra govt crisis: Kamal Nath observer

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi deputes Kamal Nath as observer in the wake of Maharashtra government crisis

14:10 21 Jun

Sharad Pawar speaks to media

Speaking to media, NCP supremo also accused the BJP of trying to topple the Aghadi government.

Pawar said he was confident of a solution soon. He also added that "cross-voting" can happen at times during such elections.

The BJP has been planning to topple the government for two-and-a-half years now, he said, asserting that it is for the Sena to decide on internal matters of the party.

He also dismissed speculations that Eknath Shinde was interested in replacing Thackeray. "It is Sena's internal matter. They have to resolve their leadership issue," he said adding that no NCP leader has rebelled.

13:55 21 Jun

Policemen stand guard outside Eknath Shinde's house

Policemen stand guard outside the residence of Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, amid speculations of him joining the BJP along with other Shiv Sena MLAs in Thane.

13:53 21 Jun

Thackeray meets party leaders

A meeting is underway between Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena top leaders and MLAs. 

Thackeray is meeting party MLAs Sunil Kadam, Dada Bhuse, Neelam Gorhe, MPs Arvind Sawant and Vinayak Raut and MLC Manisha Kayande. 

13:49 21 Jun

Shinde to address media

Though 26 Sena MLAs are camping in Gujarat, Raut denied the MVA government is in danger. Shinde, too, is expected to address the media. All eyes are on NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who is currently in Delhi holding consultations on the presidential poll.

13:48 21 Jun

Sena hits out at BJP, says all is well  

Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut confirmed the rebellion and termed it a BJP conspiracy to unsettle the MVA government. Speaking to media, Raut said 'Operation Kamala' will not work in Maharashtra.

"Everything will be fine. Eknath Shinde is a Shiv Sena loyalist. We are in touch with our MLAs, they will all return. They are all dedicated Shiv Sainiks, they were with us in difficult times; these are good times," he said.

Hitting out at the BJP, he called it a plot to defame Maharashtra and destabilise the MVA government. "Why is it that every time such an operation is done, Gujarat becomes the playing ground," Raut questioned.

13:47 21 Jun

Who is Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde is a senior leader of the ruling Shiv Sena and the Minister of Urban affairs in the MVA government.

He is current Member of Legislative Assembly from Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of Thane.

Shinde enjoys widespread support. Known as a mass leader, he is credited with strengthening the party in other parts of the state as well.

He was elected consecutively for four terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly -- 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. His son Shrikant Shinde is a Lok Sabha MP while brother Prakash Shinde is a Councillor.

Shinde is believed to be upset with the party for some time now for being deliberately sidelined.

13:39 21 Jun

Eknath Shinde sends proposal to Uddhav Thackeray

According to some Marathi channels, Eknath Shinde sends proposal to Uddhav Thackeray

The main points of the proposal are:-

1. Form a government with the BJP.

2. Make Devendra Fadnavis the CM.

3. Eknath Shinde should be Deputy CM.

 

Apparently, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Rathod has been dispatched to  Surat to negotiate with Shinde.

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