All Shiv Sena MLAs, including Independents who have extended support to the party, met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on Thursday evening. The MLAs submitted a memorandum to the Governor requesting him to declare a wet drought in the State and provide immediate relief to farmers.
“Heavy post-monsoon showers in various parts of Maharashtra prompted this demand,” Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray told reporters after the meeting with Mr. Koshyari. Asked if visiting the Governor with all MLAs was a show of strength, party chief whip Sunil Prabhu said, “The people of Maharashtra are suffering due to unseasonal rainfall and cyclone Kyarr. Every MLA has experienced this. That is why we met the Governor.”
‘Provide relief for losses’
The memorandum stated, “Owing to heavy monsoon, unseasonal rain and cyclone Kyarr, citizens have suffered heavy losses. Many people have lost their lives and 328 animals have died during this period. Apart from crop losses, fishermen have suffered damage. We are going to the affected areas. We request you to take these losses personally, provide immediate relief to the people and declare a wet drought in the State. All forms of help should be provided immediately without administrative complications.”
Earlier, addressing the newly-elected MLAs at Sena Bhavan, party chief Uddhav Thackeray said he has not yet received any power-sharing proposal from the BJP. He said, “Nobody should think they are immortal as Chief Minister.”
‘Miffed with Fadnavis’
Mr. Thackeray expressed unhappiness over the the Chief Minister’s statement that sharing the CM’s post did not figure in the talks between the Sena and the BJP leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
“The Chief Minister should have refrained from making such statements We still consider the BJP as our ally. Whatever was spoken between Amit Shah and I must be fulfilled and there will be a stable government in Maharashtra,” he said.
Sources said the Sena may relent on its demand to share the CM’s post and settle for some plum Cabinet portfolios. Sena veteran and former chief minister Manohar Joshi, while speaking to a TV channel, said, “Talks have started. Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis have met each other. I was not present at the meeting.”
Meanwhile, the Sena unanimously elected senior party leader and Thane Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde as its legislative party leader on Thursday. His name was proposed by Aaditya Thackeray and seconded by five Sena MLAs. A day ahead of the meeting, there was speculation that Aaditya Thackeray might be a contender for the post. The Sena also named Mr. Prabhu, Dindoshi MLA and former mayor, as its chief whip.
Sena hoardings removed
In an interesting development, staff members of the Sena-controlled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed hoardings outside Matoshree, the Thackeray family residence in Bandra, which read: “Only Aaditya Thackeray as CM of Maharashtra”.
