Govt teeters on the brink of collapse in Maharashtra

The ranks of the rebels, led by state minister Eknath Shinde, swelled after seven extra legislators flew from Maharashtra to Guwahati, the place the dissidents have camped for 2 days. The group now has 39 legislators, barely greater than the 37 required underneath the anti-defection legislation to interrupt away with out attracting disqualification.

Because the Sena haemorrhaged legislators to the insurgent faction, the occasion mentioned for the primary time that it was prepared to think about leaving the ruling alliance if the dissidents got here again and mentioned it with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The MVA got here collectively in 2019 after the Sena broke its 25-year-old alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Get together.

“You say you’re actual Shiv Sainiks and won’t give up the occasion. We’re prepared to think about your demand offered you come again to Mumbai inside 24 hours and focus on the problem with CM Uddhav Thackeray. Your demand shall be thought-about positively. Don’t write letters on Twitter and WhatsApp,” Sanjay Raut, whom some rebels have blamed for blocking entry to Thackeray, advised reporters.

The rebels rejected the supply, saying the alliance needed to finish first earlier than any dialogue may start about them coming again. Shinde has beforehand referred to as the alliance “unnatural” and mentioned it wanted to finish for the Sena to outlive. In the meantime, MVA companions Congress and Nationalist Congress Get together threw their weight behind the embattled Thackeray, who sought to corral public opinion by shifting late Wednesday night time from the CM’s residence to his household house Matoshree, the seat of Sena energy and the residence of occasion founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

“The destiny of the MVA authorities shall be determined within the meeting,” NCP chief Sharad Pawar mentioned.

swapnil.rawal@htlive.com

First article