'My Own Betrayed Me': Uddhav Steps Down as Maharashtra CM; BJP Plans Takeover
While rebel Shiv Sena leaders called the resignation a 'sad news', the mood at the BJP office was celebratory.
Maharashtra Political Crisis News Updates.
(Photo: The Quint)
After a days of turmoil within the Shiv Sena that overturned the fate of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday, 29 June, stepped down as the chief minister of the state following the Supreme Court's order to conduct a floor test on Thursday. He also resigned as the Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
"I am giving up the post of the chief minister. All of you gave me your love and blessings and I am thankful for that, but I won't be cowed down or get scared," he said.
Thackeray also appealed to all party workers to maintain peace on Thursday and not create hurdles for the rebel leaders who are scheduled to return to the state tomorrow.
"I want to tell all rebel MLAs that you come, take oath and attend the floor test without any worry," he said.
After the resignation, rebel Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar, speaking on behalf of the Eknath Shinde camp, said that the news of Thackeray's resignation was a sad one for them. Kesarkar blamed Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut, along with the Congress and the NCP for the crisis.
The rebel Sena MLAs and leaders led by Shinde arrived in Goa on Wednesday night after camping in Guwahati for over a week.
Meanwhile, the mood at the BJP office in Mumbai was celebratory following Thackeray's resignation with chants in support of former CM Devendra Fadnavis.
After maintaining that the BJP had nothing to do with the crisis and had not contacted rebel leader Eknath Shinde at any point, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday said that the rebel Sena leaders should return to Mumbai only on the "day of oath-taking." Fadnavis said that he will speak to the media on the party's strategy on Thursday.
Former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis being fed sweets by Maharashtra BJP President Chandrakant Patil after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray resigned from Maharashtra CMs post.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray virtually addresses the people of the state, in Mumbai, Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Thackeray announced his decision to resign from the post of Maharashtra chief minister.
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde with supporting MLAs arrives at Guwahati International Airport, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray arrives for a cabinet meeting, at Mantralaya in Mumbai, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
The Congress said that Uddhav Thackeray should have waited till the Assembly session on Thursday to resign
The BJP said that the Sena got into an unsustainable alliance with the Congress and the BJP which was never meant to survive
Hours before resigning, CM Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting of the state cabinet on Wednesday, and passed a series of resolutions, including changing names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad
Thackeray in the meeting thanked the Congress and the NCP for their support, and said that his own people betrayed him
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Shinde, 4 Other Rebel MLAs Visit Kamakhya Temple
A day after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis met Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and asked for a floor test, rebel leader Eknath Shinde and 4 other Maharashtra MLAs visited the Kamakhya temple in Assam on Wednesday, 29 June.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
Floor Test Tomorrow, Says Eknath Shinde
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he will reach Mumbai on Thursday for floor test against the beleaguered Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra.
There has been no formal announcement from Raj Bhavan that the floor test is slated for Thursday, though a letter specifying June 30 as the floor test date, purportedly written by the Governor, went viral on Tuesday.
Shinde told reporters in Guwahati, where a large group of MLAs backing him is camping since a week, that he will reach Mumbai along with all his group legislators.
Shinde, who stepped out of the luxury hotel in Guwahati, the rebel group's home for the last week, said he had offered prayers at Guwahati's Kamakhya temple for peace and prosperity of people of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Governor Orders Floor Test at 11 am on Thursday
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has written to state Assembly secretary to convene a special session of the State Assembly on 30 June, with the only agenda of a trust vote against CM Uddhav Thackeray.
The floor test is scheduled for 11 am on Thursday.
Maharashtra Govt Should Move SC, Says Chavan
Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said that the Maharashtra government will have to move Supreme Court against Governor Koshyari's letter mandating Uddhav Thackeray-led dispensation to face a floor test on Thursday.
Thackeray, MVA Govt Likely to Approach SC Today
Uddhav Thackeray and the MVA government are likely to approach the SC today against the order for a floor test to be conducted. They had been told by SC that they could approach it if there is any attempt to change status quo before 11 July.
'We Will Approach the Supreme Court': Sena
The Shiv Sena said that it will approach the Supreme Court against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's order to hold a floor test for the Uddhav Thackeray-led government at 11 am on Thursday.
"This is jet speed activity. There are some files lying with the Governor for the past two and a half years, no progress in those. The Governor was waiting for this moment. This is an unlawful activity," Sena spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut told the media on Wednesday.
"The issue of disqualification of MLAs is pending with the Supreme Court. The court had asked to not change status quo till 11 Jusly and sked us to approach it if any unlawful activities are done before that. If the Governor's house collusdes with the BJP and violate the Constitution and the Assembly's sanctity, the SC will have to intervene. We will approach the Supreme Court and ask for justice. We trust the apex court," he said.
"I respect the Governor and I understand that he is under somebody's pressure," Raut said.
He further said that Devendra Fadnavis was aiming to destabilise the government since the day it was formed.
Congress Calls All Maharashtra MLAs to Mumbai
Congress calls all Maharashtra MLAs to Mumbai ahead of the floor test ordered by the Governor, reports said.
Shiv Sena Moves SC Against Floor Test
Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu moves Supreme Court against Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's order to hold a floor test for the Uddhav Thackeray-led government at 11 am on Thursday.
Rebel Sena MLAs Likely to Move to Goa Today
Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs camping in Guwahati will fly to Goa today, sources said.
BJP Calls All MLAs to Mumbai's Taj President Hotel
The BJP has summoned all its Maharahtra MLAs to the Taj President Hotel today.
Security Heightened Outside Vidhan Bhavan
Security has been heightened at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai ahead of the floor test scheduled for tomorrow.
SC To Hear Shiv Sena's Plea at 5 pm
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Shiv Sena's plea against floor test at 5 pm today.
BJP Leaders Meet at Devendra Fadnavis' Residence
Several senior BJP leaders including Girish Mahajan and Shrikant Bhartiya arrived at the residence of former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
Ahead of Floor Test, How the Numbers Stack Up for Each Party
Ahead of the floor test ordered by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday, here's how the numbers stack up for each party in the Maharashtra Assembly:
Shiv Sena: 55
NCP: 53
Congress: 44
BJP: 106
Bahujan Vikas Aghadi: 3
Samajwadi Party: 2
AIMIM: 2
Prahar Janshakti Party: 2
MNS: 1
CPI(M): 1
PWP: 1
Swambhimani Paksha: 1
Rashtriya Samaj Paksha: 1
Jansurajya Shakti Party: 1
Krantikari Shetkari Party: 1
Independents: 13
There is one vacancy due to the death of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke last month.
Out of the 55 Shiv Sena MLAs, 38 are in Guwahati along with 10 independents.
Two NCP members - Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal - have tested COVID-19 positive, while two other party legislators - Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik - are currently in jail.
Shinde Camp MLAs Announce Rs 55 Lakh Relief for Assam Floods
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde took to Twitter to announce that the MLAs supporting will donate Rs 51 lakh for Assam CM's flood relief funds.
'Will Support BJP,' Says Independent MLA
Independent MLA Rajendra Raut said that he will support the BJP in case of a floor test.
"I am with the BJP since the beginning. Devendra Fadnavis took stand for me in the state Assembly," he told news agency ANI.
Rebel Sena MLAs En Route to Kamakhta Temple
Rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena and other parties are en route to visit Kamakhya temple in Assam, ahead of the floor test scheduled for Thursday.
'I am in Guwahati Willingly': Gangapur MLA
Eknath Shinde tweeted a video of Gangapur MLA saying that he is supporting Shinde willingly and is not being forced by anybody.
"I am the follower of Bal Thackery's idea of Hindutva. I am in Guwahati willingly and have not been pressurised by anybody. I am happy here since 21 June," he said.
'Governor's Stand is to Support the BJP': Congress
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole spoke to the media to question the Governor's decision to order a floor test.
"Under whose pressure has the floor test been ordered by the government? His role is suspicious. The matter is in the Supreme Court. The verdict will come at 5 pm. We hope SC will give the verdict in our favour to save democracy," he said.
"The Governor has taken a stand to support the BJP. We will bring this to the court's notice," he added.
Rebel MLAs Reach Kamakhya Temple
Rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena and other parties visited the Kamakhya temple in Assam, ahead of the floor test scheduled for Thursday.
'Nobody Forced me To Be Here': Rebel MLA in Guwahati
Eknath Shinde shared a video of rebel MLA Gyanraj Chougule clarifying that he is in Guwahati willingly.
Jalied NCP Ministers Move SC, Want to Vote in Floor Test
Ahead of the floor test for the Maharashtra government scheduled for Thursday, jailed Maharashtra ministers and NCP leaders Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh approached Supreme Court seeking permission to vote, Live Law reported.
The court will reportedly hear their plea along with Shiv Sena Chief Whip's plea against floor test.
'We Will Reach Mumbai Tomorrow': Eknath Shinde
Speaking to the media, rebel leader Eknath Shinde said that he, along with all MLAs supporting him, will reach Mumbai tomorrow.
"We've 2/3rd majority. We are not worried about any floor test. We will pass all things and no one can stop us. In democracy majority matters," he said.
Uddhav Thackeray to Chair Cabinet Meeting at 5 PM
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will chair a cabinet meeting at 5 pm today, the CMO said, news agency ANI reported.
Congress Leaders Meet Underway
A meeting of Congress leaders is underway in Mumbai to discuss their strategy ahead of the floor test.
'He Left his 52 MLAs, But Not Ready to Leave NCP Chief': Rebel Sena Minister
Rebel Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil on Wednesday said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has left his 52 MLAs, but is not ready to leave NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in a direct attack on the Sena president.
Patil said the rebel MLAs were not opportunist and did everything for the party and their leader when they were not even in a position to do so.
"He left 'Varsha' (chief minister's official residence), he left 52 MLAs, he left everyone, but he is not ready to leave Sharad Pawar," Patil told his fellow rebel legislators in an address which was released by the dissident camp from Guwahati.
With 52, Patil was referring to 39 MLAs and independent legislators.
"Whatever we have got is also due to the sacrifices we made. We have sacrificed our household. We are not opportunist," he said.
BJP Delegation Meets Deputy Speaker
BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar met deputy Speaker ahead of floor test.
"Pravin Derkar and I met Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and Vidhan Bhavan Secretary Rajendra Bhagwat regarding tomorrow's security and voting arrangements for the floor test. We discussed strategies to maintain utmost security and they assured us that utmost care will be taken," he said.
"There are some people trying to disrupt peace by making provocative statements on media channels," he added.
"They could not take care of their own MLAs and are pointing fingers at the Governor," he said, when asked about the MVA accusing Bhagat Singh Koshyari of colluding with the BJP.
'Not Being Pressured By Anybody': Rebel Leaders Sanjay Shirsat, Bharat Gogawale
In a video tweeted by Eknath Shinde, rebel leaders Sanjay Shirsat and Bharat Gogawale said that he is supporting Shinde willingly.
Former Mumbai Mayor Gets Threats Amid
Former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Wednesday said she has received a letter threatening to kill her and her family.
She lodged a complaint with Byculla police station after receiving the letter at her Lower Parel address, the Shiv Sena leader told PTI.
The letter was replete with vulgar language, and warned her that she, along with her son and husband, would be killed once "a new government" comes to power, she said.
The sender identified himself as `Vijendra Mhatre' from Uran, and she had received a similar threat letter sent in the same name in December 2021, Pednekar said.
Maharashtra is currently witnessing a political turmoil in the wake of rebellion by senior Shiv Sena leader and minister Eknath Shinde.
Mumbai does not have a mayor now as an administrator was appointed after the term of the Sena-controlled civic body got over
Maharashtra Cabinet Meeting to Begin Shortly
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and state minister Aaditya Thackeray left from their residence for a cabinet meeting to be held shortly at the Mumbai Mantralaya.
Key Issues Raised by Shiv Sena in Supreme Court Plea
A case relating to disqualification of MLAs is pending before Supreme Court, so a floor test ordered by the Governor stands invalid
None rebel MLAs have written to the Governor about their decision to withdraw support from the state government
A person who commits the constitutional sin of defection already loses his membership on the date of commission of the sin of defection
Governor has ordered the floor test purely on advice of leader of Opposition
Key Arguments By Shiv Sena In Supreme Court
Here are some key arguments made by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on behalf of the Shiv Sena, as quoted by Bar&Bench:
The letter says that June 28 evening, the leader of opposition met with the Governor at 10 pm. In the morning when we mentioned the matter we received a letter of intimation.
Two MLAs of NCP are down with COVID, two from Congress are abroad.
How will he know which are qualified or disqualified? The decision of the Speaker will change the pool who will be voting. Before plunging into the pool, the size has to be noted.
Suppose the petition is dismissed, and the speaker disqualifies, how do we reverse the result of the floor test tomorrow? It is an irreversible process.
When speaker decides that a person is disqualified, they cannot be treated as members from inception, from the date when the disqualification petition is filed. This has been held time to time by the SC.
If these MLAs are allowed to vote tomorrow, then the SC would permitting voting by MLAs who may be disqualified later. That goes to the root to the democratic principles.
Another contention is on the undue haste shown in the matter. The Governor is bound to act on the advise of the Council of ministers, which he may or may not do, but definitely cannot act on the advice of opposition.
Meeting of Legislative Party After Floor Test: Shinde
"We will reach Mumbai tomorrow and participate in the Trust Vote. After that, a meeting of the Legislative Party will be held, following this the further course of action will be decided," Eknath Shinde told news agency ANI at Guwahati airport.
He added, "We are not rebels. We are Shiv Sena. We are carrying forward the agenda and ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena. We will work for the Hindutva ideology and development of the state."
'No Heavens Will Fall If...': Abhishek Manu Singhvi Cites Shivraj Chouhan Case in Court
Arguing for the Shiv Sena against the floor test ordered for tomorrow by the Governor, senior advocate Abhishek Manu said:
"Can the governor not wait till 11 July. If no heavens will fall till milords decide the issue on 11 July, what heavens will fall if the floor test does not happen tomorrow?" he said, as quoted by Bar&Bench.
"In Shivraj Chauhan case, the court had held that there was no fetter on the floor test, that any pending disqualification proceedings cannot deter the speaker from deciding," he added.
'Temporary Cloud on Disqualification Proceedings': Sena to SC
Shiv Sena's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the Supreme Court that since there is a temporary cloud on the disqualification proceedings, there should also be a temporary cloud on the floor test.
"Tomorrow either Prabhu’s whip will be obeyed or the whip from Shinde faction will be obeyed. Who has to be obeyed? How will the deputy speaker decide?" Singhvi said, as quoted by Bar&Bench.
'Need to Decide on Speaker First': Eknath Shinde's Counsel's Key Arguments
Arguing for Eknath Shinde, counsel Neeraj Kaul said that the Maharashtra deputy Speaker has to first decide on his position, and then proceed with disqualification. Here are the key arguments, as quoted by Bar&Bench:
The SC categorically says, whether he is competent or not, whether a person ought to be disqualified or not, is inconsequential to the floor test
This is an area carved out for the discretion of the Governor. Unless the decision of the Governor is held to be grossly irrational or mala fide, there can be no interference.
If you are so confident, then go ahead with the floor test. What is being sought now is a hopeless minority within a party who do not want a floor test.
Today whether the Speaker is to be removed or not, cannot be related to the test. The more you delay a floor test, the more damage you do to the Constitution. If you want to prevent horse trading, then the best way to do it is floor test.
Uddhav Thanks Cabinet Members in Meeting
CM Uddhav Thackeray thanked the members of the cabinet for their support, saying that his own people betrayed him, reports said.
CM Expresses Gratitude to Congress, NCP
Speaking to the media about the developments in Uddhav Thackeray's cabinet meeting, NCP leader Jayant Patil said that CM Thackeray praised all three parties for doing good work in two and a half years.
"CM Uddhav Thackeray further said that he received the support of Congress and NCP but unfortunately he didn't get the support of his own people," he said.
'We Are the Shiv Sena': Eknath Shinde's Camp Tells SC
Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Eknath Shinde, told the Supreme Court that CM Uddhav Thackery's reluctance to face floor test will shows that he lost the majority in House.
He further told the court that the Thackeray camp is nervous to face the floor test as 39 of their MLAs have dissented.
"Rebel MLAs are not leaving Shiv Sena. We're the Shiv Sena, we have overwhelming majority," he said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta Starts Arguments for Governor
SG Tushar Mehta told SC that the Governor's order is not immune from judicial review, but is subject to judicial review.
"First of all, the argument that this court has interdicted the Speaker is wrong. It is not this order but the law which has interdicted him," Mehta said, as quoted by Bar&Bench.
"What is to be seen has to be seen from the floor test. The Governor has decided based on the circumstances. The source of the democratic powers is the floor of the assembly. If you have power, good, if not, so be it. Test it," he added.
Police Steps Up Security in Mumbai
Mumbai Police have stepped up security near Vidhan Bhavan ahead of the floor test slated for Thursday and along the route that the rebel MLAs of Shiv Sena are likely to take from the airport, an official said on Wednesday.
Police have imposed section 144 of the CrPC banning the assembly of five or more persons and will not allow anybody to gather near the Vidhan Bhavan and surrounding areas in south Mumbai.
"Police and traffic police are on high alert anticipating protests by Shiv Sena supporters against the rebel MLAs when they will travel towards the Vidhan Bhavan," he said.
"Though there is no official communication about the transport plan of the rebels yet, a green corridor may be created for the movement of the buses of the dissidents," the official said.
Security has also been stepped up in important pockets of the metropolis.
As a precautionary measure, notices have been issued by the police under section 149 of the CrPC to more than 300 leaders and workers of all prominent political parties, he said.
Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of more than five persons under section 37 of the Maharashtra Police Act are already in place.
The official said the security at the residences and offices of all the rebel MLAs has been beefed up across Mumbai and other parts of the state.
'Governor Not a Holy Cow': Singhvi Responds to Arguments of SG, Kaul
Responding to arguments of senior advocate Neeraj Kaul and SG Tushar Mehta, Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing the Thackeray faction said that those who suggest that the Governor cannot be political but the Speaker can is living in an ivory tower.
"The next argument is that the speaker is a suspect, the governor is a holy cow. Has the Governor made any attempt of satisfying whether the request for floor test is proper or not. But the Speaker is always looked at with suspicion," Singhvi said, as quoted by Bar&Bench.
SC Order on Floor Test at 9 PM
Hearing concludes, Supreme Court will pronounce order on tomorrow's floor test at 9 pm.
SC Refuses to Stay Uddhav's Floor Test
Supreme Court refused to stay the floor test for the Uddhav Thackeray government, as ordered by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
"We are not staying the floor test. We are issuing notice. You can file counter. We will hear on merits along with other cases on July 11," the court said in its order.
SC Hears Petitions of Jailed Maharashtra Ministers
Supreme Court is now hearing the petitions filed by jailed NCP leaders Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh seeking permission to vote in the floor test tomorrow.
Uddhav Thackeray Addresses State
Here are the key highlights of his address:
I thank Sharad Pawar saheb and all the Congress leaders for supporting me
I felt sad to see only four Shiv Sena ministers in the cabinet meeting today
The ones we gave our all to betrayed us, and the ones we fought against for years stood by the Shiv Sena
I thank the Governor for upholding democracy and ordering floor test urgently
If the rebel MLAs had placed demands directly before me and not gone to Surat or any other state, this could have been handled better
I want to tell all rebel MLAs that nobody is going to stop you from coming to the state or create hurdle for you
I don't want to get into who has how many MLAs in which party, but I will only see how many of my people went against me
If they get some satisfaction by seeing the son of Bal Thackeray being ousted as the chief minister, so be it. They can consider it to be their achievement
I am not saddened for leaving the CM post
Uddhav Thackeray Steps Down as CM
Amid the dramatic political crisis in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray stepped down as the chief minister of the state following the Supreme Court's order to conduct a floor test tomorrow.
Uddhav Thackeray Enroute Raj Bhavan
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray is en route Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.
'Uddhav Should Have Waited Till Tomorrow': Congress
Speaking on the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said: "The Supreme Court's order was confusing and unclear. There was a lot of uncertainty. the court changed its previous order of status quo till 11 July. We did not expect this from the apex court," he told ABP Majha.
"Uddhav ji should have come to the House tomorrow, placed his side before the people, and should have resigned before the floor test," he added.
'Maharashtra Lost a Good CM Today': Sanjay Raut
Taking to Twitter, Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said: "CM Uddhav Thackeray has stepped down humbly. We have lost a sensitive and decent chief minister. History is witness, betrayal never ends well. This is the beginning of a great victory for the Shiv Sena. We will face lathis and jail if needed, but will keep Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena alive."
Sena Leaders Meet Governor at Raj Bhavan
Shiv Sena leaders Neelam Gorhe, Vinayak Raut and Milind Narvekar arrived at the Raj Bhavan.
'Not Happy,' Say Rebels as Uddhav Steps Down
One of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, Bharat Gogawale, on Wednesday night said they will hold meetings at a five-star hotel in Goa where they are staying for the night and discuss their next steps in the wake of the resignation of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
A chartered flight carrying the breakaway MLAs of Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde landed at the Dabolim airport in Goa on Wednesday night from Guwahati.
From the airport, they headed to the hotel in Dona Paula in special buses.
"It is not like we are very happy with the decision of Uddhav Thackeray stepping down as the CM. We are heading towards our hotel. Once we reach there, we will discuss the issue and decide our next steps. He (Thackeray) tried to convince us," Gogawale said.
Uddhav Thackeray Arrives at Raj Bhavan
Uddhav Thackeray arrives at Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.
'Should Not Have Joined Hands With Cong, NCP': BJP
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said that the CM's resignation is not a cause for celebration, adding that this would not have happened if the Shiv Sena would not have joined hands with the Congress and the NCP.
"If they would not have gone with the Congress and NCP and held on to the Hindutva agenda, this would not have happened. They formed an unsustainable alliance," he said.
"I want to appeal to all the BJP workers across the state that victory must be accepted with humility. Uddhav thackeray's resignation is no cause to celebrate," he added.
'It's a Sad Day For Us': Rebel Shiv Sena Leader Deepak Kesarkar
Reacting to CM Uddhav Thackeray's resignation, rebel leader deepak Kesarkar said: "This is a sad news for us. Along with the NCP and the Congress, Sanjay Raut is responsible for this. His comments widened the divide between the Centre and the state and Maharashtra had to suffer for it," he told ABP Majha.
Kesarkar further said that the allies made constant efforts to sideline the Shiv Sena.
"He respected Pawar's words more than ours since he is a senior leader. But he never understood that Pawar will think only for his party and not ours. This is the result of it," Kesarkar said.
"None of the Sena MLAs asked for his resignation, but Pawar did. Pawar made it a legal battle and got disqualification processes initiated against us. Was a Shiv Sainik more important or Pawar?" he asked.
Uddhav Thackeray Submits Resignation to Governor
Uddhav Thackeray submitted his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.
He was accompanied by his son and former minister Aditya Thackeray.
'Rebel MLAs Should Return on the Day of Oath-Taking': BJP
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said that all rebel MLAs should not return to the state tomorrow as planned.
"Those who were reaching Mumbai tomorrow, I urge them not to come tomorrow, they should come on the day of oath-taking," he said.
Asked about the party's future strategy, former CM Devendra Fadnavis said that "he will tell everything tomorrow."
Maharashtra Congress Chief Lauds Uddhav's Tenure
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole took to Twitter to say: "Uddhav Ji was one of the finest chief ministers. With administrative experience, he handled the state in the best possible manner in its toughest times. You will be remembered by the people as one of the most sensitive chief ministers. Thank you!"