All the latest updates as the Shiv Sena-led MVA battles the crisis for the sixth day
All the latest updates as the Shiv Sena-led MVA battles the crisis for the sixth day
The political turmoil in Maharashtra intensified on Sunday, with rebel Shiv Sena MLA and Minister Eknath Shinde moving the Supreme Court against the disqualification notice issued by the Deputy Speaker to him and 15 other legislators.
The party, led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, meanwhile, received another jolt as Maharashtra Technical and Higher Education Minister Uday Samant, a key Sena leader in the Konkan region, joined Mr. Shinde’s rebel camp in Guwahati.
Mr. Shinde now has the support of nine Sena Ministers with Aaditya Thackeray being the only one in the Uddhav Thackeray camp left in the Assembly. The other two Thackeray loyalists Anil Parab and Subhash Desai are Legislative Council members.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Delhi asserted his party’s support for the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. He said, “NCP’s line is clear. We will keep supporting CM Uddhav Thackeray till the end. Unlikely that President’s rule will be imposed in Maharashtra.”
The Central Government granted security to 15 of the rebel MLAs with the Home Ministry providing Y-plus security cover by stationing Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans outside the homes of the rebel MLAs. The move came as strident protests against the MLAs in the Shinde faction continued across the State.
Here are the latest updates:
Maharashtra | 11.47 p.m.
PIL filed in Bombay HC against rebel Sena leader Eknath Shinde for instigating internal disorder
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Eknath Shinde, who is leading the group of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs from Maharashtra, for causing a “political turmoil” in the state and instigating an internal disorder in the State Government.
The PIL seeks appropriate action against the rebel leaders for the “omission of duties and moral wrongs committed, leading to disrespect towards the public rights and good governance”.
The litigation, filed by seven citizens of Maharashtra, also seeks a direction to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the State to submit a detailed plan of assurance, detailing the process of governance in the absence of several of its ministers.
The plea, filed through advocates Asim Sarode and Ajinkya Udane, further seeks the court to direct the rebel leaders to return to the state and resume their duties, and claimed the rebel MLAs were disregarding the oath taken by them under the Constitution.
The petition has been mentioned before a division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice M S Karnik for urgent hearing. The bench said it would assign a date (for hearing). – PTI
Maharashtra | 10.58 a.m.
BJP pulling strings in Maha, claims Shiv Sena on Y-plus security to rebel MLAs
With the Centre providing Y-plus security to Maharashtra’s rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, the party claims it is now evident that the BJP is “pulling the strings” amid the current political turmoil in the State.
An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ likens the rebel Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde to “big bulls”, and alleged that they have been “sold” for ₹50 crore.
The Centre on Sunday extended Y-plus security cover of CRPF commandos to at least 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, officials earlier said.
Those who were provided the security cover include Ramesh Bornare, Mangesh Kudalkar, Sanjay Shirsat, Latabai Sonawane, Prakas Surve and 10 others .Their families living in Maharashtra will also be secured, the officials had said. – PTI
Maharashtra | 10.47 a.m., June 27
Eknath Shinde speaks to MNS chief Raj Thackeray about recent political situation
As the political turmoil in Maharashtra continues to unfold, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shide spoke to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray about the recent political situation in the State, confirmed an MNS leader on Monday.
The MNS leader further said that Mr. Shinde spoke to Raj Thackeray over the phone twice and also enquired about his health.
“Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shide spoke to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the phone twice. Shinde spoke to Thackeray about the recent political situation in Maharashtra and enquired about his health,” an MNS leader confirmed. – PTI
Maharashtra | June 26
Some powerful force backing rebel Shinde, says NCP’s Eknath Khadse
Newly elected NCP MLC Eknath Khadse on Sunday said Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s rebellion against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was due to some “powerful force” backing the dissidents.
Addressing a press conference in Thane, Mr. Khadse, a former BJP leader, said the identity of this “powerful force” would be out in the open in the coming days, adding that he had never seen the State go through such a volatile situation in his 40-year political career.
“It (rebellion) is an internal issue of the Sena. However, there is surely some powerful force supporting Mr. Shinde. He will not take such a bold step without powerful backing. I have not seen such instability in the state in my 40-year career,” Mr. Khadse said. – PTI
Maharashtra | June 26
Rebelled against Shiv Sena’s support to those having links with Dawood; not afraid of death: Eknath Shinde
Launching a fresh attack on Shiv Sena leadership, dissident leader Eknath Shinde on Sunday wondered how could Bal Thackeray’s party support the people having a direct connection with Dawood Ibrahim who was responsible for killing innocent Mumbaikars by triggering bomb blasts.
He said the banner of revolt was raised by him and other MLAs to protest against such support and he doesn’t care for his life in the bid to save Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Mr. Shinde’s tweets on Sunday night are an apparent reference to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Nawab Malik who is in jail in connection with a money laundering case allegedly involving relatives of Dawood Ibrahim.
The tweets are also seen as a reply to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut who had termed Mr. Shinde and other rebel MLAs “bodies without souls” which will be sent to the morgue.
“How can Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena support those who have a direct connection with Dawood who killed innocent Mumbaikars by carrying out Mumbai bomb blasts? We are taking this step to oppose this; Don’t care if this step leads us to the brink of death,” Mr. Shinde tweeted in Marathi.
In another tweet, the senior Shiv Sena leader said they will consider themselves fortunate if they die while saving Shiv Sena and the ideology of Bal Thackeray.
Mr. Shinde had tagged his tweets to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s Twitter handle. – PTI
Maharashtra | June 26
Talking Politics with Nistula Hebbar | What led to the political crisis in Maharashtra?
In this episode of Talking Politics, we examine the current political crisis in Maharashtra and understand how the Shiv Sena found itself in this situation.
Maharashtra | June 26
Pro-Thackeray rallies held in Shinde stronghold Thane-Palghar
A sizable number of Shiv Sena workers on Sunday bucked the trend seen over the past few days in Thane district, a bastion of rebel MLA Eknath Shinde, by taking out rallies in support of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Similar rallies, which were attended by hundreds of men and women workers carrying flags and shouting pro-Thackeray slogans, were also held in Vasai, Virar and some other parts of Palghar, also a stronghold of Mr. Shinde. – PTI
Maharashtra | June 26
Eknath Shinde moves SC; Uddhav Thackeray camp says Shiv Sena rebels will be disqualified
The political turmoil in Maharashtra intensified on Sunday, with rebel Shiv Sena MLA and Minister Eknath Shinde moving the Supreme Court against the disqualification notice issued by the Deputy Speaker to him and 15 other legislators.
The party, led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, meanwhile, received another jolt as Maharashtra Technical and Higher Education Minister Uday Samant — a key Sena leader in the Konkan region — joined the rebel camp in Guwahati.
Mr. Shinde now has the support of nine Sena Ministers with Aaditya Thackeray being the only one in the Uddhav Thackeray camp left in the State Assembly. (The other two Thackeray loyalists Anil Parab and Subhash Desai are Legislative Council members).
On the other side, the loyalists of Mr. Thackeray, too, have geared up to take on the rebels with MP Arvind Sawant stating that the party had already initiated legal action to disqualify the 16 rebel MLAs by serving notices to them.
