Maharashtra political crisis: Sena seeks disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs; Eknath responds 'we know law too'

At present, there are a total of 45 MLAs in Guwahati Hotel:

• 37 MLAs of Shiv Sena, 1 MLC
• Independents - 5
• Prahar Sangathan - 2 MLAs.

During the night, 2 more independent MLAs arrived in Guwahati after which the total number of MLAs in Guwahati has increased to 47 (46 MLA + 1 MLC). On Friday, 2-3 more MLAs of Shiv Sena are expected to arrive via Surat to Guwahati.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde wrote to the Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly regarding the reaffirmation of his appointment as the leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party and further appointment of Bharatshet Gogawale as the Chief Whip of the party.

The letter has the signatures of 37 Shiv Sena MLAs and a copy of the letter has been sent to Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, and Secretary to the Legislative Council Rajendra Bhagwat.

Few more Shiv Sena MLAs from Maharashtra arrive at Guwahati hotel, where party's Eknath Shinde and other MLAs are lodged.

Maharashtra Shiv Sena MLA Dadaji Bhuse, MLA Sanjay Rathod and MLC Ravindra Phatak with Eknath Shinde at Radisson Blu hotel in Guwahati. As per sources, more than 37 MLAs of Shiv Sena are present with Eknath Shinde here.

Maharashtra Independent MLAs Kishor Jorgewar and Geeta Jain also reached the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati.

Shiv Sena has demanded the disqualification of 12 MLAs including:

• Eknath Shinde (Cabinet Minister) – Kopari Pachpakhadi, Thane
• Tanaji Sawant MLA from Paranda, Osmanabad
• Prakash Surve MLA from Magathane, Mumbai
• Balaji Kinikar MLA from Ambernath, Thane
• Anil Babar MLA from Khanapur, Satara
• Lata Sonawane MLA from Chopda, Jalgaon
• Yamini Jadhav MLA from Byculla, Mumbai
• Sanjay Shirsat MLA from Aurangabad West, Aurangabad
• Bharat Gogavale MLA from Mahad, Raigad
• Sandipan Bhumare - (Cabinet Minister) - MLA from Paithan, Aurangabad
• Abdul Sattar - (Minister of State) - MLA from Sillod, Aurangabad
• Mahesh Shinde - MLA from Koregaon, Satara

Union minister Narayan Rane on Friday took on NCP chief Sharad Pawar, alleging that the latter was threatening rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, and said if anything happened to them in the Maharashtra Assembly, there will be consequences.

Earlier in the day, Pawar said that the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde who are camping in Guwahati will have to come to the Maharashtra Assembly eventually, and the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government will win a trust vote despite the rebellion.

Rane, in a series of tweets in Marathi issued in the evening, said, “Sharad Pawar is threatening the (rebel) MLAs that they should come to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. They will definitely come and vote as per their will. If any harm comes to them, it will be difficult to go home."

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has responded to team Uddhav saying 'who are you trying to scare', as his response to party's move seeking 12 rebel MLAs disqualification.

"Who are you trying to scare? We know your fabrication and the law too! According to the 10th Schedule to the Constitution (Schedule) the whip is for assembly work, not for meetings. There are numerous Supreme Court decisions in this regard," Shinde tweeted.

"You can't scare us by applying for action against 12 MLAs. Because we are the real Shiv Sena and Shiv Sainik of the Balasaheb Thackeray. The law also knows... we demand action against you for creating an illegal group without a number," Shinde said.

As MVA government trouble further deepens, Shiv Sena has asked for the disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs including Eknath Shinde.

Speaking on seeking disqualification of rebel MLAs, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said, "We've filed a petition before the Deputy Speaker (of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly) and demanded that the membership of 12 (MLAs) should be cancelled as they didn't attend yesterday's meeting."

Shiv Sena's Mumbai department heads' meeting ends. It was decided in the meeting that party's focus should now be totally on the upcoming municipality polls.

Uddhav Thackeray gave orders to all department heads to start preparations for the upcoming BMC elections and focus on strengthening the organisation.

Shiv Sena's saffron should be waved at BMC in any case. Now keep all the focus only and only on BMC elections, Uddhav told department heads.

Rebel Maharashtra Shiv Sena MLAs in Guwahati unanimously has chosen Eknath Shinde as their leader.

"They (BJP) are a national party...They have told me that the decision which I have taken is historic, and whenever I need them they will be present," Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde told MLAs in Guwahati.

Addressing a press conference, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that a floor test will decide who has the majority.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has decided to back CM Uddhav Thackeray. I believe once the (Shiv Sena) MLAs return to Mumbai the situation will change, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said in Mumbai.

There is no question of proving majority as of now, MVA has majority and is still in power. It's just that some Shiv Sena MLAs have gone to another state after being unhappy but we are confident that Shiv Sena will succeed in bringing them back, said NCP leader Jayant Patil.

The (Shiv Sena) MLAs go to other states and the police here do not even know...this in a way is an intelligence failure, said NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on the current political situation in the state.

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition (LoP) Devendra Fadnavis who is reaching Delhi may meet Home Minister Amit Shah, and can discuss the current Shiv Sena-led MVA government crisis.

They (BJP) wanted to create instability and destroy Shiv Sena so that they can emerge no. 1 party in the BMC polls. This operation is being orchestrated from Delhi. Devendra Fadnavis is going to Delhi to take instructions & logistical support, said Maharashtra Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan.

Speaking with rebel Shiv Sena MLAs at a Guwahati hotel, Eknath Shinde told them that there is no need to be scared as a big power is standing behind us.

CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a crucial meeting of all administrative heads of the city at 7 pm in Matoshree.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar has said that his party will continue to support CM Uddhav Thackeray and all MLAs of the NCP are intact. 

To stop the BJP (from coming to power) in 2019, Maha Vikas Aghadi was constituted on a common minimum program. Congress still sticks to that and our support for Maha Vikas Aghadi continues, Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan said.

BJP is trying to destabilise the government and trying to split Shiv Sena. We're working on how to sort this out... Maha Vikas Aghadi govt will continue and will complete 5 years. We're keeping an eye on the situation. Congress stands with MVA, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said.

MLA Kailash Patil is trying to gain sympathy of 'Matoshree' (Uddhav Thackeray) by fabricating stories. He is lying in front of the media. We had arranged for him to return to Mumbai from Surat. Eknath Shinde did not force any MLA to join him: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Tanaji Sawant

According to reports, the Nationalist Communist Party (NCP) is going to be in wait and watch policy until CM Uddhav himself takes a decision to quit.

Sanjay Raut has tweeted, "Discussions can lead the way. There can be discussion. The doors of the house are open."

Geeta Jain has also left for Guwahati. Jain had earlier given support to Shiv Sena after winning the election as an independent. 

3 more Shivsena MLAs - Sanjay Rathore, Dadaji Bhause, Ravindra Fatak - expected to fly from Surat for Guwahati
- Reports Nirnay Kapoor (India TV) 

BJP & Centre fully responsible for destabilising a stable govt in Maharashtra to form their own govt in the state. They're also doing this for Presidential polls. I want to say that we all (Cong, NCP, Shiv Sena) will strengthen Maha Vikas Aghadi: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress

Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is a government established for the development and welfare of Maharashtra. We will stand firmly with Uddhavji Thackeray till the end, tweets NCP leader Jayant Patil

We're with them (Shiv Sena) to stop BJP from coming to power. This game is happening due to ED...Congress is ready for Floor test. We're with MVA & will remain. If they(Shiv Sena)want to form an alliance with anyone, we don't have a problem: Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole

Congress calls meeting of its leaders at Sahyadri guest house at 4pm, today, after Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said of mulling exiting MVA, if all party MLAs want that. Senior Congress leaders incl HK Patil, Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole & Ashok Chavan to attend meeting

Felicitated our two MLAs Kailash Patil ji and Nitin Deshmukh ji who returned from Guwahati, Assam. Many more to return.. patience & time: Priyanka Chaturvedi

We were forcibly taken to Surat, I tried to run away but was caught by Surat police. Despite having no complications, doctors told me that I had a heart attack. 300-350 police personnel were keeping an eye on us: Shiv Sena MLA Nitin Deshmukh

Shiv Sena ready to walk out of MVA govt in Maharashtra, but party rebels should return to Mumbai (from Guwahati) in 24 hours: MP Sanjay Raut.

42 rebel MLAs from Maharashtra - 35 from Shiv Sena and 7 Independent MLAs - seen together at Guwahati Hotel 

Ahead of his possible resignation, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray started making 'final calls' after his emotional challenge to the rebels previous evening that he was ready to quit the post (CM) as well as Shiv Sena chief, here on Thursday.

If the government stays we will be in power, if the government goes we will sit in Opposition: NCP's Jayant Patil on political instability in MVA

Mahendra Morre
Bharat Gogawal
Mahendra Dalvi
Anil Babar
Mahesh Shinde
Shahaji Patil
Shambhuraje Desai
Dayaraj Chougule
Ramesh Bornare
Tanaji Sawant
Sandipan Bhumre
Abdul Sattar
Prakash Surve
Balaji Kalyankar
Sanjay Shirsat
Pradeep Jaiswal
Sanjay Raimulkar
Sanjay Gaikwad
Eknath Shinde
Vishwanath Bhoir
Shantaram More
Sriniwas Vanga
Parkash Abhitkar
Chimanrao Patil
Suhas Kande
Kishorappa Patil
Partap Sarnaik
Yamini Jadhav
Lata sonawane
Balaji kinikar
Gulabrao patil
Yogesh kadam
Sada sarvankar
Deepak kesarkar
Mangesh kudalkar

Independents and others

Rajkumar Patel, Prahar Sanghatan
Bachchu Kadu, Prahar Sanghatan
Narendra Bhondekar ( Ind) 
Rajendra Patil Yadavkar(Ind)
Chandrakant Patil(Ind)
Manjula Gavit(Ind) 
Ashish jaiswal (Ind)

- Reports Anand Prakash Pandey (India TV) 

The Sena rebels are swelling, as no one could anticipate Shinde to do this as he was a trusted man of the top leadership.The Sena leader said the only hope is that the party thinks that many MLAs don't want to go into election, so if they are disqualified for violating the party line they have to seek re-election. If half the MLAs return, then the government could survive.

Shrikant Bhartiya, MLC BJP, Abhimanyu Pawar MLA BJP, Kalidas Kolambkar and  BJP MLA Jaykumar Rawal  reached the house of Devendra Fadnavis. 

- Reports Namrata Dubey (India TV) 

Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai meets Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray in Matoshree. 

- Reports JP Singh (India TV) 

CM Uddhav Thackeray will meet secretaries of different departments and ministries today post noon. 

- Reports Dinesh Mourya (India TV) 

TMC party workers protested outside Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati where rebel Shiv Sena MLAs are camping. 

Rebel group Chief Whip Bharat Gogawale has claimed support of 50 MLAs - 42 Shiv Sena MLAs, 7-8 Independent MLAs. He told India TV "We will not go with NCP-Congress. We are in talks with BJP. We have given all the rights to Eknath Shinde." On the question of making Shinde the CM, he said – We will be happy if our man becomes the Chief Minister. 

- Reports Dinesh Mourya (India TV)

10 Shiv Sena MPs are also in direct contact with Shinde, his son Shrikant Shinde is a Shiv Sena MP from Thane. 

Total 42 MLAs are in Asaam right now. Out of which

38 Shivsena,
3 independent,
1 Prahar Janshakti Party.

- Reports Nirnay Kapoor (India TV)

One of the reasons for the rebellion of Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and other party MLAs is that NCP is strengthening. Rebel camp believe party is giving strength to the NCP leaders who were defeated in the elections in their area and Shiv Sena MLAs are being pushed to the margins. Sharad Pawar is being considered mainly responsible behind this. These MLAs say that it seems that the owner of Shiv Sena has also become Sharad Pawar. 

The second reason is the working style of Aaditya Thackeray. The MLAs say that Aaditya Thackeray considers himself the chief of Shiv Sena and behaves in the same way. Eknath Shinde faction believes that barring 13 MLAs, all the Shiv Sena MLAs will come here sooner or later.

Sources say that Nitin Deshmukh himself was sent back from Guwahati airport at the behest of Eknath Shinde. Because when Deshmukh reached Guwahati from Surat with the rebel MLAs, he started talking about going back to Maharashtra. After which he was made to sit in the lounge of the airport for some time. When Deshmukh did not agree, Eknath Shinde said that this will spoil the whole matter. So Nitin Deshmukh was sent back to Mumbai. 

- Reports Anand Prakash Pandey (India TV) 

A meeting will be held at around 10 am of Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and rebel MLAs. Further strategy will be discussed in this meeting. A decision can be taken when some MLAs, including Shinde, return to Mumbai and proceed further.

- Reports Dines Mourya (India TV) 

Sada Sarvankar Shiv Sena MLA from Mahim, Mangesh Kundalkar Shiv Sena MLA from Kurla, Deepak Kesarkar Shiv Sena MLA from Sindhudurg and Ashish Jaiswal Shiv Sena MLA from Nagpur. These four MLAs reached Guwahati early morning today. They had left by flight from Surat.

- Reports Nirnay Kapoor (India TV) 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray late on Wednesday vacated his official residence 'Varsha' at Malabar Hill to return to his private home 'Matoshri' in Bandra along with his family.

With the deployment of large number of security personnel, a luxury hotel in Guwahati turned into a fortress on Wednesday as several rebel Shiv Sena MLAs from Maharashtra led by state minister Eknath Shinde camped there, putting the existence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government under threat.

Amid the ongoing political tussle in Maharashtra, a BJP leader has filed a complaint against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray with the Mumbai Police, demanding registration of an FIR against the latter for violating Covid-19 protocols.

Sharad Pawar will hold a meeting with NCP MLAs today on the ongoing political crisis in Maha Vikas Aghadi. Meeting will be held at YB Chavan Center at 11 am.

- Reports Atul Singh (India TV)

CM Uddhav Thackeray will hold discussions with the remaining MLAs and MPs and other senior leaders of Shiv Sena. The discussion will be held at 11.30 am. The further strategy will be discussed in the meeting. 

Reports JP Singh (India TV)