Maharashtra Crisis Live: Uddhav Concludes Meet With Pawar; Police on High Alert
Eknath Shinde's camp has the support of enough Shiv Sena MLAs to dodge the anti-defection law. Live updates here.
Maharashtra Political Crisis LIVE News Updates
(Photo: The Quint)
Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: As the political deadlock in Maharashtra after a rebellion within the Shiv Sena entered its fourth day on Friday, 24 June, the Maharashtra police said that all police stations, especially those in Mumbai, have been ordered to remain on high alert.
"Police received info that Shiv Sainiks can take to the streets in large numbers," the Maharashtra police said in a statement.
The alert comes after Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the party cadre will take to streets if need be earlier on Friday.
Meanwhile, a meeting was held between CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar at the CM's residence.
In an address to the party earlier, Thackeray had challenged the rebels to run the Shiv Sena "without the Thackeray name."
Slamming rebel leader Eknath Shinde, Thackeray said that if this was not Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena anymore as he claims, it would not have come to power twice since 2012. "He (Shinde) was made a minister both times," he said.
Thackeray also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the unrest.
Glimpses of the political turmoil:
Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray leaves from Matoshree at Bandra, in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde with Minister of Agriculture of Maharashtra Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse and other rebel MLAs at a hotel, in Guwahati, Thursday, June 23, 2022
Security personnel outside the hotel where rebel Shiv Sena MLAs are staying, in Guwahati, Friday, June 24, 2022.
Police personnel deployed outside the Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
Sharad Pawar before addressing the media on Thursday, 23 June.
Supporters of rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde outside the party office, at Hanuman Nagar in Thane, Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde interacts with supporting MLAs at a hotel in Guwahati, Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and MLAs Kalpesh Patil and Nitin Deshmukh interact with the media after the MLAs returned from rebel party leader Eknath Shindes camp in Guwahati, in Mumbai, Thursday, June 23.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Friday had said that the party cadre will take to the streets if needed
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said that rebel leader Eknath Shinde will support the BJP to form government in the state
The Sena on Thursday said that the party will even consider their demand of walking out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance
Sharad Pawar slammed the BJP in Maharashtra and Assam for helping the rebel MLAs and downplayed the Sena's hint of 'considering to quit MVA if rebels return'
A Sena delegation on Thursday met with acting Speaker Narhari Zirwal, and sought to disqualify 12 MLAs, including Shinde
Rebel MLA Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday penned a scathing letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, alleging that he never met his own people but only "coddled" allies
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37 Rebel MLAs Proclaim Eknath Shinde as Leader in Legislature
All 37 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs who are camping in Guwahati on Thursday sent a letter to Maharashtra Assembly's Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, stating that Eknath Shinde will remain their group leader in legislature.
Earlier in the day, Zirwal had said that he had approved the appointment of Ajay Chaudhary as the group leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party, replacing senior minister Shinde who has rebelled against the Shiv Sena leadership.
Shinde on Thursday evening sent a letter to the deputy speaker, signed by 36 Sena MLAs who are currently staying with him in Guwahati.
It also informed that Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale has been appointed as chief whip of the legislature party in place of Sunil Prabhu.
Some Sena workers loyal to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray earlier on Thursday demanded action against those who did not attend the 5 pm meeting called by the party on Wednesday.
“Who are you trying to threaten? We know your gimmicks and also understand the law very well. As per the 10th schedule of the Constitution, the whip is applicable for legislative works and not for any meeting.
“We demand action against you instead because you do not have sufficient number (of MLAs) but still formed a group of 12 MLAs. We do not pay any heed to such threats,” Shinde tweeted.
'Bulldozing Democracy': West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday flayed the BJP for trying to "topple" the Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra in an "unethical and unconstitutional" manner, claiming that the motive behind the act was to secure requisite votes for the upcoming presidential polls.
She said the saffron party had deliberately chosen to "disturb" the Maharashtra government at a time when the presidential polls were approaching.
"The BJP government is bulldozing democracy. I feel very sad, and it is unfortunate that it is demolishing the federal structure of this country. It is attempting to topple the Maharashtra government in an unethical and unconstitutional manner," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat, PTI reported.
‘Don’t Know if MLAs Are Staying In Assam’: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing the media in Delhi, said, "There are many good hotels in Assam, anyone can come there and stay...there is no issue with it. I don't know if Maharashtra MLAs are staying in Assam. MLAs of other states can also come and stay in Assam."
‘Congress or NCP, Both Are Trying To Eliminate Shiv Sena’: Rebel MLA Shirsat
Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat in Guwahati, told ANI, "Many times in the past MLAs informed Uddhav ji that whether it is Congress or NCP, both are trying to eliminate Shiv Sena. Numerous times the MLAs sought time from Uddhav ji to meet him but he never met them."
He added, "If you look at the constituency of any Shiv Sena MLA, from the Tehsildar to the revenue officer, no official is appointed in consultation with the MLA."
Shirsat claimed that they told this to the chief minister many times but he never responded to it.
‘Have Support of 50 MLAs, 40 From Sena’: Shinde
Eknath Shinde, in an interview to NDTV, said, "We have the support of 50 MLAs, 40 from Shiv Sena".
Speaking on the disqualification applications filed by Uddhav Thackeray for 12 rebels with the Deputy Speaker, Shinde said that the application is illegal and that they are not afraid of such threats.
'Won't Tolerate Threats Against Pawar': Sanjay Raut
Taking to Twitter, Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut slammed Union Minister Narayan Rane and said that "Threats against Sharad Pawar would not be tolerated."
"If this is the BJP's stand, they must say so openly and make it official. The government might stay or fall, but Maharashtra won't tolerate such threats against Sharad Pawar," he said.
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.
'Battle Has Turned into a Legal and Legislative One Now': Raut
Speaking to the media, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the battle for Maharashtra has turned into a legal and legislative one.
Admitting that the Thackeray camp has lost the majority, Raut said: "Yes, the Sena's numbers have reduced, this is a democracy, but mandate and majority are volatile concepts."
"The battle has transformed in to a legal and legislative one now. We are seeking action against 12 of them," he added.
Raut further said that the day the MLAs return to Maharashtra, their real test of loyalty will begin.
Raut also slammed Union Minister Narayan Rane for allegedly issuing "threats" to NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
"Some people have garnered guts to issue threats to Sharad Pawar. PM Modi and Amit Shah must take note of this," he said.
'Not Looking to Take Over Party,' Says Eknath Shinde
In a telephonic conversation with ABP Majha, Eknath Shinde said that his camp has not yet decided on staking claim on the party's name and logo. He also said that while his camp has numbers, there is no decision on withdrawing support to the government yet.
"We are not claiming ownership of the party. We are Balasaheb's followers, we will have discussions and decide further," he said.
Reponding to Sharad Pawar's comments that rebel MLAs will have to return to Maharashtra at some point, Shinde said: "Pawar saheb is a senior leader, but numbers are important in a democracy and everything has to be done lawfully. Numerically and legally, we are strong."
Asked about his remarks of a "national force supporting the camp," Shinde said that he was referring to the force of late Sena leaders Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe.
'Shiv Sena Workers Will Take to Streets If Needed': Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena national spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that the Eknath Shinde faction must realise that the party workers "can take to the streets if needed."
"Such battles are fought either through law or on the roads. If need be, our workers would come on the roads," he said.
Eknath Shinde to Hold Meet With Rebels
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will hold a meeting with rebel MLAs to decide the next course of action today.
Sanjay Raut Takes a Dig at Rebel Agriculture Minister
Taking a dig at rebel leader Sanjay Bhuse, also the agriculture minister of Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut tweeted: "The agriculture minister is supposed to take a stock of the sowing processes every week. Rainfall is currently scarce in Maharashtra and the sowing of seeds is getting delayed. The state's agriculture minister Dadaji Bhuse is currently in Assam for a 'Chintan Shivir' and has abandoned the farmers. The CM must take note of it."
‘Shinde Will Form Govt With BJP’: Ramdas Athawale
Speaking on the political turmoil in Maharashtra, MoS Ramdas Athawale said, "Uddhav Thackeray's time is up. Most MLAs will go with Eknath Shinde and he will form government with BJP."
Sanjay Raut Arrives at Sharad Pawar’s Residence
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut arrived at YB Chavan Centre, Mumbai, to meet Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar.
'BJP Has No Role in Political Crisis in Maharashtra': Chandrakant Patil
BJP's Maharashtra unit chief Chandrakant Patil on Friday asserted that his party did not play any role in the ongoing political crisis in the state.
He, however, admitted that Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis visited Delhi on Thursday "for some work", without divulging any details.
Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, his hometown, Patil said, "The BJP has nothing to do with the current internal bickering in Shiv Sena or in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) (comprising Sena, NCP and Congress). I had a lunch with Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Thursday afternoon, and then he left for New Delhi for some work."
"During our discussion, Fadnavis told me that some things are taking place. But had it (any development) been anything important, he would have definitely taken me into confidence," he said.
Sanjay Raut Meets Sharad Pawar in Mumbai
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai.
'Shinde Will Form Govt with BJP': Ramdas Athavale
Union Minister Ramdas Athavale, speaking to ANI, said that most rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena will support Eknath Shinde.
"Uddhav Thackeray's time is up. Most MLAs will go with Eknath Shinde and he will form government with BJP," he said.
Senior BJP Leaders Meet Fadnavis in Mumbai
BJP leader Pravin Darekar and other senior party leaders met former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at his residence.
'Will Win Floor Test, Challenge MLAs to Come to Mumbai': Sena
Saying that the party had given enough opportunities to the rebels to return to Mumbai, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Friday challenged the MLAs in Assam to return to Mumbai.
"We will win on the floor test, the Shiv Sena does not give up. They have taken the wrong step. We gave them a chance to return to Mumbai, but now, we challenge them to return," he said.
Eknath Shinde Camp Likely to Move HC
Rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde will likely approach the Bombay High Court against the decision of Maharashtra acting Speaker Narhari Zariwal to accept Ajay Chaudhari as the Legislative Party Leader (LPL), reports say.
Chaudhari, who is an MLA from the Thackeray camp, was accepted as the LPL, despite the rebels writing to him that Shinde had the majority to continue on the post.
Maharashtra BJP Writes to Governor
Leader of Opposition of Maharashtra Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar wrote to Bhagat Singh Koshyari to render invalid all the decisions taken by the Maharashtra government in the past two days.
Eknath Shinde Leaves Assam Hotel
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has left the hotel in Assam to go to Mumbai, reports say.
MVA Issues GRs for Sanction of Funds Worth Crores
Even as the Shiv Sena-led MVA dispensation is currently facing a survival crisis due to a rebellion by Sena minister Eknath Shinde, the departments - mostly controlled by ruling allies NCP and Congress - have issued government orders for the release of funds for various development-related works worth thousands of crores in the last four days.
Between June 20 and 23, the departments issued as many as 182 government resolutions (GRs), while on June 17, they passed 107 such GRs. These orders can be seen on the government's official website.
Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande Reaches Guwahati Hotel
Another Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande joins other rebel MLAs at Guwahati hotel.
Security Beefed Up Outside Shiv Sena Bhavan
Police personnel deployed outside the Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
'Silent, Not Weak': Uddhav Slams BJP, Shinde in Address to Party Workers
In an online address to Shiv Sena district heads, post holders, and workers, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party unrest in the Shiv Sena and said that the rebels have taken advantage of his unavailability due to health issues . He also said that he will not tolerate the use of unparliamentary language against his family.
Thackeray also said that he is "silent, but not weak."
Here's what he said:
"When they asked me if I wanted to go to Varsha or Matoshree after my surgery, I opted for Matoshree."
"I quit temptation by leaving Varasha, not the determination to fight. There are many who said I should not have left. The things that don't belong to us are best left. I had never dreamt of living in Varsha."
"If you say that this is not Bal Thackeray's Sena anymore, it should have ended in 2012. The Sena came to power twice after that and he (Eknath Shinde) was made a minister both times. He was given big portfolios which usually are held by CMs."
"Some party MPs and MLAs said two days ago told me that they won't go even if they are mutilated and are in Assam today."
"Challenge you to separate the Thackeray name from the Shiv Sena and run it successfully. If you don't want to use my pictures, never mind. But I challenge you to run the Shiv Sena without using Bal Thackeray's name or picture."
"The BJP wants that Uddhav should be left alone and everybody else should join them. The BJP might be able to break the ones who have been elected, but I challenge you to break their electors."
"You have no right to claim that I backstabbed the party in any manner, this is my party. The same way I decided to enter the MVA, I am free to walk out of it."
"This is a plot to finish the Shiv Sena. The BJP does not understand that Bal Thackeray never stood for the division of Hindu votes, but you are committing that sin. You (rebels) backstabbed the Sena by creating a rift in it."
Assam BJP MLA Meets Rebel Sena MLAs in Guwahati
Assam BJP MLA Taranga Gogoi meets rebel Shiv Sena MLAs at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati.
'BJP Destabilising Opposition Governments': Tejashwi Yadav
The BJP is destabilising non-BJP state governments by all means, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said.
"Whatever is happening in Maharashtra seems pre-planned. Either they pressurise, scare or they buy. Even in Bihar, people rejected BJP but CM Nitish Kumar was pressurised," he told ANI.
Man From Beed Writes to Governor to be Made Acting CM
A man from Beed district has written to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari seeking that he be made the acting chief minister of the state.
Shrikant Gadale, a resident of Dahifal (Wadmauli) in Kej tehsil, has written a letter to the governor and has submitted the same at the district collector's office.
Gadale in his letter claimed that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had neglected the problems of common people and farmers are not being helped in the state.
"I have been in politics and social life for 10 to 12 years and have worked for the problems of farmers and poor people. Due to environmental disasters, the state is facing losses. It was expected that the government would give immediate relief, but help was not given," Gadale wrote.
All 'Tourists' are Welcome in Assam: Himanta on Sena MLAs
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday sought to downplay the camping of Maharashtra's rebel Shiv Sena MLAs in his state saying all "tourists" are welcome there.
"Some people have come to Assam. They booked hotels. I am happy for that. You also come, it will help Assam's economy. Through this, Assam's tourism is also getting promoted," he said.
NCP Leaders to Meet Thackeray at 6.30 pm
NCP leaders will meet CM Uddhav Thackeray at 6.30 PM today at Matoshree.
"Our stand is the same as yesterday. We will try to keep the government stable," Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said.
Eknath Shinde Returns to Guwahati Hotel
After several reports suggested that rebel leader Eknath Shinde has left the hotel in Assam to go to Mumbai, the rebel leader returned to the Guwahati hotel after reportedly visiting the Kamakhya Temple.
Shiv Sena Workers Protest Against Shinde in Kolhapur
Shiv Sena workers protested against rebel leader Eknath Shinde, in Kolhapur.
Mumbai Shiv Sena MLA's Office Vandalised
Shiv Sena workers on Friday vandalised a board outside the office of party MLA Mangesh Kudalkar who is part of the group of rebel legislators led by senior Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde, police said.
Kudalkar represents the Kurla assembly constituency in the city.
A group of Shiv Sena supporters gathered outside Kudalkar's office in Nehrunagar area of Kurla and tried to smash up a board bearing his name and photograph, said a police official.
No National Party in Contact with Us: Eknath Shinde
A day after claiming that a "powerful national party" was supporting his group of MLAs in the ongoing political drama in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde on Friday said no national party is in contact with them.
Asked if BJP was backing his group, Shinde told a TV channel, “When I said a big power is backing us, I meant the power of Balasaheb Thackeray and (late Shiv Sena leader) Anand Dighe.” Responding to a query on when will the political crisis in Maharashtra end, Shinde, a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in the state, said things will be clear after some time.
A video released by Shinde's aides on Thursday evening showed him addressing the rebel MLAs, and claiming the support of a “national party”. He was seen saying: “No matter what happens, we will win. As you said, that is a national party, a superpower. Pakistan…you know what happened.”
“They have told me, that the decision taken by us is historic. You have all the strength of ours. If you need anything, we will not let you down. This will be experienced whenever we will need any help.”
Maharashtra Police on High Alert
All Police stations in Maharashtra, especially those in Mumbai, have been ordered to remain on high alert. Police received info that Shiv Sainiks can take to the streets in large numbers. To ensure that peace prevails, Police have been asked to remain alert, the Maharashtra Police said in a statement.
'Was Diagnosed With Cancer, No Sena Leader Bothered': Rebel MLA
Shiv Sena rebel MLA from Mumbai's Byculla, Yamini Jadhav on Friday took to social media to say that it was not easy for her to rebel against the party leadership, but none of them cared when she was diagnosed with cancer last year.
In a video message tweeted out by Eknath Shinde, Jadhav said: "We can understand the rage of Shiv Sainiks given the developments of the past few days. We are still Shiv Sainiks and will die as Shiv Sainiks"
"In October last year, I was diagnosed with Cancer. My family was destroyed. The party was apprised of my health issues as is required of us. As one of their female MLAs, I had expected some senior leaders to visit me. I was very disturbed with the news. All the Shiv Sainiks of my constituency supported me and I thank them for it," she said.
"Was I supposed to be on my deathbed for my leaders to come visit me? This was bothering me. My family has been facing a lot of trouble for the past 7-8 months. It was then that I decided to take the decision. It was not easy for me, it took a while to decide upon this. It pains me to take this decision. But my husband and I will never leave the Shiv Sena. The people of my constituency who supported me should support me now as well. I will never be dishonest with my party, but it needs to be looked into as to what's led to this scenario," she added.
Sharad Pawar Meets Uddhav Thackeray at 'Matoshree'
A meeting between Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray is underway at the latter's residence. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is also present at the meeting.
Heated Argument Between Police, Sena Workers Outside Uddhav's Residence
Shiv Sena workers gathered outside Uddhav Thackeray's residence clash with the police over playing drums.
Work Should Not be Hampered by Political crisis: Thackeray tells Bureaucrats
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday told the state administration that important development works related to welfare of people shouldn't be held up due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
"Don't hold up important development works related to welfare of people. Get in touch with me directly," Thackeray said during a review meeting attended by divisional commissioners, district collectors, municipal commissioners and secretaries of government departments at the state secretariat.
The CM told the bureaucrats that citizens' grievances should be addressed without any delay.
Thackeray said, "There is always uncertainty in politics and during the monsoon season. Political manoeuvres will go on but governance shouldn't stop. The administration should ensure that people' s day-to-day issues are resolved immediately."
Shiv Sena Party Executive Meet at 1 PM on Saturday
Shiv Sena calls a meeting of the party's national executive committee at Sena Bhavan, Mumbai tomorrow at 1 pm.
Pawar Leaves Matoshree After Meet With Uddhav
NCP chief Sharad Pawar was seen leaving from Matoshree, after concluding his meeting with CM Uddhav Thackeray.
Maharashtra AG Summoned by the Secretariat
The Assembly Secretariat has called upon the Maharashtra Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, seeking legal advice on the current political crisis, including the Sena looking to disqualify 16 rebel MLAs.