Maharashtra Crisis: 17 Sena MLAs Ready To Come Back To Mumbai: Sources

The political impasse in Maharashtra entered its second day on Wednesday with Eknath Shinde reaching Guwahati from Surat along with scores of lawmakers of the party.

Mumbai : Senior Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s name has been suggested for the Chief Minister post by Sharad Pawar and the Congress – Uddhav Thackeray’s allies in Maharashtra – said the Congress sources, even as his rebellion against his own party has plunged the state into a political crisis. They also said that 17 Shiv Sena MLAs, currently in Guwahati, are ready to come back to Mumbai.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Wednesday that he was “ready to resign if even one of the disgruntled MLAs come forward and demand so.” The Shiv Sena boss spoke shortly after 30 MLAs of his party declared rebel Eknath Shinde as their leader.

“Hindutva is our identity and we are never going to leave it,” said Thackeray after Eknath Shinde claimed that he, along with the MLAs camping with him, will carry Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva.

Shinde, along with other MLAs was staying at a hotel in Gujarat’s Surat following the cross-voting in Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls and later took a flight to reach Guwahati.

The political impasse in Maharashtra entered its second day on Wednesday with Eknath Shinde reaching Guwahati from Surat along with scores of lawmakers of the party. Shinde has claimed 46 MLAs are with him and asserted that he will not switch parties.

He had demanded that the Sena restore its alliance with the BJP and jointly rule the state, sources said.

Uddhav Thackeray chaired a crucial meeting of his cabinet virtually after he tested positive for Covid. Shiv Sena has now called a meeting of all MLAs at 5 pm at the Chief Minister’s residence.