In another setback to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, three more Shiv Sena MLAs on Thursday left for Guwahati in Assam to join the rebel camp led by cabinet minister Eknath Shinde. Shinde may release the list of his supporting MLAs on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has said that they have enough experience to deal with the situation. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that 20 MLAs are in touch with him. The Congress and the NCP have suggested that rebel Eknath Shinde be named as chief minister to tide over the huge political crisis that has beset the ruling alliance.
News18 took a look at the political developments going on in Maharashtra:
Shinde Camp
Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde will release the list of supporters at around 2 pm. Even though he has claimed the support of 41 Shiv Sena MLAs, at present there are 36 names in the list. Sources said Shinde is aiming to garner the support of around 50 MLAs so that there is no chance of him failing the anti-defection test.
Shinde will consult the MLAs with him and then decide when to return to Mumbai. After reaching Guwahati on Wednesday, Shinde had claimed the support of 46 MLAs, including some independents. He is also doing the paperwork for claiming the election symbol of Shiv Sena party.
Shiv Sena MPs have also contacted the camp of rebel Eknath Shinde. For now, Thane MP Rajan Vichare and Kalyan MP and Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde are with Eknath Shinde’s camp. Meanwhile, some other MPs have also expressed their desire to join the Shinde side, but have not expressed it openly.
Meanwhile, TMC workers, including party leader Ripun Bora, staged a protest in front of Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati where rebel Shiv Sena MLAs are staying.
Shiv Sena
As the crisis in Shiv Sena refuses to calm down, Sanjay Raut said that 20 MLAs are in touch with the Uddhav Thackeray leadership. “When they come to Mumbai, everything will become clear. Look at our faces, do we look stressed? Just saying they are ‘Balasaheb Bhakt’ doesn’t help. Balasaheb leaving the party is not a bhakt. The real devotees will be with the party till their last breath.
NCP Camp
A meeting is underway between NCP chief Sharad Pawar, deputy CM Ajit Pawar, state home minister Dilip Walse Patil, ministers Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad and party leader Sunil Tatkare. The meeting is being held at the residence of the NCP chief.
Sources said Sharad Pawar has asked top leaders to be ready for floor test and NCP will support Uddhav Thackeray. The NCP hopes that once Shiv Sena MLAs return to Mumbai, some of them may change their minds and go back to the Uddhav Thackeray camp.
Congress Camp
Sources said that earlier today Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi reached Mumbai on a private tour. Meanwhile, party leader Kamal Nath is in Mumbai to keep the Congress swarm together.
BJP Camp
The residence of former Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is busy with back to back meetings amid the crisis in the state. Fadnavis has been holding meetings since morning at his residence in the form of senior leaders including Girish Mahajan, Prasad Lad and Ashish Shelar.
read all breaking news , today’s fresh news watch top videos And live TV Here.