Had rebel Eknath Shinde 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, BJP would have moved in for the kill, say experts

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, June 22

Of the 40 MLAs --which Eknath Shinde has claimed to be with him in Guwahati--35 are believed to be from the Shiv Sena and five are Independents.

Sources, in fact, say that many of them "are not on the same page" with Shinde, a reason why they have been shifted far east to Guwahati.

In other words, the number of MLAs with him is still not sufficient to break the Shiv Sena without the Anti-Defection Law, for that he needs the support of at least 37 MLAs. Chief Minister Uddav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena says there are more than 20 MLAs in Mumbai.

The numbers are not adding up, observers said, adding that had it been the case (Shinde having 40 Shiv Sena MLAs), the BJP would have already moved in for the kill.

In Delhi, the central leadership is tracking each move, the sources said.

There is also speculation that Shinde may float his own party.

The role of the Speaker and the Governor becomes critical in such a crisis 

Meanwhile, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari has been tested positive for Covid and has been hospitalised

Even after the law is applied, it is up to the Speaker how he deals with it. The matter could also end up in the Supreme Court.

According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, legislators can be disqualified on grounds of defection.

The Anti-Defection Law allows a party to merge with or into another provided in case at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.

Notably a similar scenario was witnessed in Goa, when 10 Congress MLAs merged with the BJP.

Meanwhile, the NCP and the Congress are holding meetings, keeping their respective flocks together and strategising their moves.

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