The Maharashtra council polls for 10 seats resulted in a nail-biting finish with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet again trumping over tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - after the Rajya Sabha polls - by winning five out of ten seats. In what could be an alarming situation for the State government, three MLAs each from Congress and Shiv Sena cross-voted in a secret ballot held on Monday.
Following the results of the polls, Sena leader and MVA Minister Eknath Shinde is said to have taken 11 party MLAs with him in what seems likely to be a rebellion within the saffron party against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. In Monday’s council poll, a total of 12 Sena MLAs cross-voted in favour of BJP candidates.
Also read | A recap of political events leading to formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi
Sources in Surat confirmed that over a dozen legislators from Maharashtra have been lodged at the Le Meridien Hotel. “The legislators checked in late last night,“ the sources said adding that there is heavy police deployment in the area where the hotel is located.
Here are the latest updates
Spotlight on Fadnavis as Maharashtra government battles crisis
Two successive defeats of the ruling MVA candidates in Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls and the subsequent rebellion by senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde have pushed the Uddhav Thackeray government to the brink and given BJP an edge in Maharashtra with the spotlight on former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
‘Mee Punha yein…’ (I will come back), was Mr. Fadnavis’ slogan when he sought a fresh mandate in the assembly elections in 2019.
The BJP emerged as the single largest party and Mr. Fadnavis the chief minister, but he had to quit in the face of imminent defeat in a Supreme Court-mandated floor test after rebel NCP leader Ajit Pawar failed to win over enough MLAs to keep the government afloat.
Mr. Fadnavis, whose nimble political manoeuvres helped the BJP defeat the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi candidates in the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, may be holding the trump card that could pave the way for the BJP’s return to power in the key western state.
It is advantage Mr. Fadnavis as the Thackeray-led MVA government battles an existential crisis after Maharashtra Urban Development and Public Works Department Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde rebelled with a chunk of party MLAs and parked himself in a luxury hotel in Surat in neighbouring BJP-ruled Gujarat.
Mr. Shinde, a quintessential organisation man, wields considerable influence in the Sena and was its leader in the state assembly before being sacked on Tuesday.
In the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, BJP is the single largest party with 106 MLAs followed by Shiv Sena (55), NCP (53) and Congress (44).
The Shiv Sena had walked out of a pre-poll alliance with the BJP after the 2019 assembly elections to form the government with Sharad Pawar’s NCP and the Congress following differences with the BJP on the chief minister’s post.
There was unease in a section of the Shiv Sena over the growing stature of Aditya Thackeray, Uddhav’s son and minister, in party affairs.
“Shiv Sena has not been able to keep its flock together. The Sena MLAs often complain of the chief minister being inaccessible,” a leader in the ruling coalition said, adding Mr. Shinde, too, was finding it difficult to get files related to his ministry cleared by the chief minister.
Another MVA leader admitted the ruling coalition was caught unawares by Mr. Shinde’s revolt, and accused the BJP of engineering defections to topple the government. - PTI
Congress ministers Thorat, Chavan meet CM Thackeray amid political crisis
Leaders of MVA constituents Congress and the NCP met Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray here on Tuesday evening to take stock of the situation.
Cabinet ministers Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan of the Congress met Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena, at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai, where state NCP president and minister Jayant Patil was also present.
All eyes are on NCP president Sharad Pawar, the chief architect of the Shiv Sena-led ruling coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) who is likely to arrive in Mumbai soon from New Delhi, where earlier in the day he convened a crucial meeting of opposition parties to decide on a common candidate for the next month’s presidential polls.
At the meeting, several major opposition parties, including the Congress, the NCP and the TMC, picked former Union minister Yashwant Sinha as their presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, AICC secretary in-charge of Maharashra H.K. Patil held one on one talks with each of the 44 party MLAs. A Congress leader said Patil discussed the prevailing political situation in the state with the MLAs. - PTI
Heavy police deployment at Sena Bhavan as party workers assemble in show of support for Uddhav
Hundreds of party workers started assembling at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai, with the numbers swelling by the hour, most of them irate over the challenge thrown at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“This protest will continue against whoever betrays the Shiv Sena. Our leader Uddhav Thackeray will overcome all these problems and emerge victorious,” one woman at the site said.
“When (party founder) Balasaheb (Thackeray) was alive, he used to say look after Uddhav the way you all have supported me. This is what we are doing. We are all here to support Uddhav Thackeray,” another party worker said.
As emotions among the workers of the cadre-based party ran high, a heavy posse of police, including women personnel, was at hand to ensure the situation did not go out of hand, officials said. - PTI
‘BJP has no hand in triggering Eknath Shinde’s rebellion’, says Chandrakant Patil
While denying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had any hand in triggering Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde’s intra-party rebellion, Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said the unrest within the tripartite ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ government - and particularly the Shiv Sena - had reached a peak, while alleging that several Sena MLAs had wanted to ally with the BJP and not the ideologically opposed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress since the MVA’s formation.
Speaking in Mumbai over the political turmoil sparked by Mr. Shinde. Mr. Patil said that the latter’s actions were the Shiv Sena’s internal matter and that the BJP was presently in a ‘wait and watch’ mode.
“BJP has not pre-planned Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. This is the Sena’s internal matter. The unrest within the MVA government had reached a peak. The government was being dominated by the NCP in the last two-and-a-half years,” said Mr. Patil, who has been predicting the MVA’s imminent fall since its formation in late 2019.
Mr. Patil said it was premature to say how the internal resentment within the Shiv Sena would benefit the BJP or translate into a “regime change.” - Shoumojit Banerjee
Uddhav Thackeray should resign, says Narayan Rane
Congratulating Eknath Shinde on his rebellion, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Narayan Rane urged CM Uddhav Thackeray to voluntary resign. MVA government is finished. “Why is Uddhav Thackeray clinging on to power despite 35 of his own MLAs rebelling?” Mr. Rane - a former Shiv Sainik - alleged that the voices of true Shiv Sainiks had been stifled by the Thackeray family all this while, while accusing Mr. Thackeray of repeatedly insulting and sidelining Mr. Shinde by making hollow promises.
MVA: How it was formed
Some BJP MLAs meeting Eknath Shinde in Surat: Maharashtra BJP chief
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said some MLAs of the BJP will meet Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde camping in a Surat hotel in their “personal capacity” even as he distanced his party from the ongoing political turmoil. Mr. Patil also said if BJP receives any proposal from Mr. Shinde to form a government, they would “definitely consider it”.
He admitted that BJP MLA from Maharashtra, Sanjay Kute, had met Shinde.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Patil said the next 24 hours will be crucial and that the BJP is closely watching the developments.
“BJP MLA Sanjay Kute from Maharashtra met Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde in Surat in his personal capacity. The BJP has nothing to do with the ongoing developments. Shinde’s decision is not part of any game plan of the BJP,” Mr. Patil said. - PTI
Sena leaders reach Surat to meet rebel MLAs
Shiv Sena leaders Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Fatak arrive in Surat to meet the rebel MLAs who are holed up at Le Meridien Hotel in the city.
We are united, says Congress
Maharashtra Congress clarifies that all its party MLAs are in touch with State leadership and reports of some being unreachable are false.
Three party MLAs reportedly cross-voted during the recent Legislative Council elections.
Sena MLA Nitin Deshmukh’s wife files complaint of her husband going ‘missing’
Amid Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde and some Shiv Sena MLAs going incommunicado, party legislator Nitin Deshmukh’s wife has filed a police complaint of her husband going ‘missing’, a police official said on Tuesday.
Nitin Deshmukh is the Shiv Sena MLA from Balapur in Akola district.
His wife Pranjali Deshmukh filed a complaint at the Civil Lines police station in Akola, stating that her husband was not reachable since Monday night, and asked police to find him soon, the official said. -PTI
Third attempt to pull down MVA govt in Maha: Pawar, says Thackeray will handle situation
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday alleged that a third attempt is being made to pull down the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra but expressed confidence that the chief minister Udhhav Thackeray will be able to handle the situation.
Mr. Pawar, who played a crucial role in the formation of the MVA government, said it will complete its full five-year term and ruled out going with the BJP, in case the state government falls.
Sena removes Mr. Shinde from the post of Legislature Party leader
Shiv Sena removes Eknath Shinde from the post of Legislature Party leader. Senior party MLA Ajay Choudhari appointed as new Legislature Party leader.
Eknath Shinde speaks on Twitter
Shiv Sena’s rebel leader Eknath Shinde speaks on Twitter. He talks about Hindutva and claims that he is a staunch Shiv Sena worker of Balasaheb Thackeray. He says he would never betray Sena founder’s teachings for the sake of power. He also recalls late Anand Dighe, former Sena strongman from Thane. -Alok Deshpande
Kamal Nath deputed AICC observer for Maharashtra
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has deputed Kamal Nath as AICC observer for Maharashtra in the wake of the political developments. -Sandeep Phukan
Political environment clear after Maha Council polls, people fed up of MVA govt: Union minister Danve
The political environment in Maharashtra is now clear after the Legislative Council elections and people are fed up with the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Union Minister Raosaheb Danve said on Tuesday.
The BJP leader claimed that there was no control among MVA constituents — the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, and there was complete negligence towards problems of the people.
“It has become evident from the Legislative Council polls that the votes of the MVA constituents were divided and the Independents have supported us (BJP). The BJP’s fifth candidate won, while the Congress’ candidate was defeated by the other two parties (Sena and NCP),” Mr. Danve said while speaking to a Marathi news channel. -PTI
Maharashtra CM Thackeray meets party leaders amid Sena minister and some MLAs camping in Gujarat
A meeting was underway on Tuesday between Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena top leaders and MLAs, even as State minister Eknath Shinde was camping along with some party legislators in Gujarat.
CM Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena president, held a meeting where party MLAs Sunil Kadam, Dada Bhuse, Neelam Gorhe, MPs Arvind Sawant and Vinayak Raut, MLC Manisha Kayande and other leaders were present. -PTI
As Maharashtra Sena minister goes incommunicado, BJP says no role in it
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said his party has got nothing to do with political developments in the ruling Shiv Sena, whose minister Eknath Shinde has gone incommunicado along with some MLAs. -PTI
Union minister Rane comes out openly in support of Eknath Shinde
Union minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane came out openly in support of Eknath Shinde.
"Well done, Eknathji, you took the right decision at the appropriate time. Otherwise, soon you would have ended up like Anand Dighe,” Mr. Rane tweeted.
Dighe, the Shiv Sena leader from Thane, had died in 2001.
Sharad Pawar sets off for Mumbai
NCP chief Sharad Pawar cancels his programs in Delhi and sets off for Mumbai; according to sources, to hold meetings with NCP leaders and CM Uddhav Thackeray in the evening. -PTI
Shiv Sena likely to skip opposition meet to decide Presidential candidate
Battling a crisis in the Maharashtra government, the Shiv Sena leaders are likely to skip the opposition parties meeting on Tuesday to finalise their joint candidate for the Presidential election.
Senior party leader Sanjay Raut was scheduled to attend the meeting convened by Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, but “he has cancelled his visit to Delhi,” a party functionary said. -PTI
“Unrest within the MVA govt. reached a peak”
“This is Shiv Sena’s internal matter. We will accept any proposal offered to us by Mr. Shinde. Unrest within the MVA government had reached a peak. It was being dominated by the NCP for the last two-and-a-half years. Sanjay Raut is responsible for the Sena’s condition today,” said Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil on Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde’s rebellion.
However, Mr. Patil said it was premature to say how this internal resentment will benefit the BJP or convert into a regime change. On Mr. Shinde being holed up in Gujarat, Mr. Patil said it was possible that the Sena leader may have felt more secure there. -Shoumojit Banerjee
Turmoil on in Shiv Sena since one week, claims Maharashtra Congress leader
In view of Maharashtra Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde going incommunicado and apparently camping in Gujarat along with some party MLAs after the State Legislative Council polls, a Maharashtra Congress minister on Tuesday claimed there was unrest in the Sena since about a week.
However, state NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal said he does not feel that there is a threat to the Maharashtra Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. - PTI
More than 15 Maharashtra rebel MLAs camping in Le Meridien Hotel
According to sources in Surat, more than 15 Maharashtra rebel MLAs are camping in Le Meridien Hotel in Surat. The legislators checked in late last night. Heavy Police deployment in the Athwalines area where the hotel is located. -Mahesh Langa
Le Meridian Hotel, Surat
Uddhav Thackeray calls for an urgent meeting
CM Uddhav Thackeray has called for an urgent meeting of party MLAs as Senior minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly reached Surat to along with his supporter MLAs. -Alok Deshpande
Sanjay Raut on the politics of the State
“Attempts are being made to use Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka patterns in Maharashtra. But it won’t work here. You cannot attack Sena like you did in other states,” said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
"We have established contacts with Sena MLAs in Surat and also with Mr. Shinde. We are confident that plans to destabilise the state government won't succeed. All our MLAs will return. These MLAs have stayed with Sena in bad times and they will not leave us now. MLAs want to return but they have been put under surveillance and cannot come out of the hotel," added Mr. Raut.
Gujarat is being used to torture Maharashtra. It is unfortunate, he further said. -Alok Deshpande
MPCC Chief on the political instability in the State
MPCC chief Nana Patole says tripartite “MVA government not in any danger”. BJP’s politics of misusing Central agencies and using money power to poach MLAs has been thoroughly exposed. Congress will introspect on its defeat in MLC polls, said Mr. Patole.
The State Congress has called for a meeting with its legislators. -Alok Deshpande
Eknath Shinde and his group of MLAs reportedly unreachable
Eknath Shinde. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Shiv Sena senior minister Eknath Shinde along with his group of MLAs is reportedly unreachable since last night. The stability of the Maharashtra government is under the scanner as after Monday’s Council polls opposition BJP has demonstrated support of 133 MLAs from its earlier 112. Majority mark in Maharashtra assembly is 145.
Four Shiv Sena ministers, including Mr. Shinde, Sandipan Bhumre, Abdul Sattar and Shambhuraje Desai not reachable. -Alok Deshpande
BJP trumps MVA in Maharashtra council polls
The Maharashtra council polls for 10 seats resulted in a nail-biting finish with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yet again trumping over tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - after the Rajya Sabha polls - by winning five out of ten seats. In what could be an alarming situation for the State government, three MLAs each from Congress and Shiv Sena cross-voted in a secret ballot held on Monday.
The BJP did not miss the opportunity to warn that the results will ensure the beginning of a change and we will not stop until we bringing a people-friendly government in the State.
Editorial | On Maharashtra politics
The Hindu’s Editorial in 2019 on Maharashtra’s political turmoil, termed it as a betrayal of people’s mandate.
The political drama in Maharashtra that continued unabated since the Assembly election results on October 24 has been brought to an end, albeit temporarily, by the imposition of the President’s rule. The Maharashtra verdict was unambiguous and in favour of the BJP-Shiv Sena pre-poll alliance, but the partners could not agree on the terms of power sharing, leading to prolonged haggling between them.
Maharashtra government formation: a tale with many twists
A month after the Maharashtra Assembly election results were announced on October 24, 2022, the political impasse in the State seemed to have reached a climax, albeit with a stunning overnight twist. In less than twelve hours, the focus shifted from the NCP-Congress-Shiv Sena alliance that was all set to form a government, to the BJP, as Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Chief Minister early on Saturday along with NCP leader Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.
