Maha sankat on Maha Vikas Aghadi: Uddhav firefights ‘rebellion’ within Sena to save MVA govt
The political crisis started when Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, along with several other party MLAs, went ‘out of reach’ after Monday’s legislative council election. This fueled rumours of possible rebellion within the Shiv Sena, one of the parties in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
Eknath Shinde along with other ‘missing’ Shiv Sena MLAs holed up in a hotel in Surat, Gujarat, a BJP-ruled state. Security outside the hotel was beefed up and no one was allowed entry. As uncertainty grew over the MLAs who had gone incommunicado, Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray immediately went into troubleshoot mode and sent two party leaders- Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Phatak- to meet Eknath Shinde and other legislators and pacify them.
During the meeting that lasted for nearly two hours, Milind Narvekar made Eknath Shinde speak to Uddhav Thackeray over the phone, as per sources. Eknath Shinde demanded that the Sena restore its alliance with the BJP, sources added.
Sourced said that when Uddhav Thackeray refused to ally with BJP again, claiming that the Shiv Sena was mistreated by the saffron party in the past, Eknath Shinde responded that the MLAs in Surat have issue with Sena aligning with the NCP and the Congress.
Apart from this, Eknath Shinde, who was removed as Shiv Sena legislative group leader in Maharashtra assembly, told Uddhav Thackeray that he was not eyeing the CM’s post and there was no need to take any action against him.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) met Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on Tuesday evening. NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Jayant Patil and Ajit Pawar were present during the meeting.
What triggered the political crisis in Maharashtra?
It was Eknath Shinde who plunged the ruling alliance in the state into a political crisis by moving to a hotel in Gujarat’s Surat with several party MLAs. The move put a question mark on the future of MVA, comprising of the Shiv Sena, the Congress, and the NCP.
Eknath Shinde, a four-time Shiv Sena MLA, was reportedly upset with the Sena leadership for allegedly being sidelined.
How did Congress, NCP react?
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday alleged that a third attempt was being made to pull down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
Talking about Eknath shinde’s rebellion, Sharad Pawar said that it was Shiv Sena’s internal matter. “I hope they resolve their differences soon. We are not scared,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the Congress deputed Kamal Nath as AICC observer to Maharashtra following the political crisis in the state.
In a statement, the Maharashtra Congress said, “All Congress MLAs are in touch with State President Nana Patole and Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and whatever news is there regarding the MLAs being not reachable is completely baseless. The news related to the resignation of Balasaheb Thorat from the post of Congress Legislature Party leader is also wrong as he is keeping an eye on the whole situation from his residence.”
What has been BJP’s response?
Following the political turmoil in Maharashtra, state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said, “It’s too early to say anything, we’re currently waiting and keeping an eye on the situation. Nor has Eknath Shinde sent a proposal to BJP for government formation, and neither has BJP sent any proposal to him.”
“But anything can happen in politics at any time,” Chandrakant Patil added.
What the numbers say in Maharashtra Assembly
The total strength of Maharashtra Assembly is 288. With one seat vacant, the majority mark is 144. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress stood at 168 before rebellion, while the NDA has 113 seats.
Eknath Shinde is claiming that he has 35 MLAs with him. If these MLAs resign, it would bring down the Maha Vikas Agahdi’s number in the House and potentially topple the government.
Amid the brewing political crisis triggered by Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, the Maharashtra cabinet is set to meet on Wednesday, June 22.
