As senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde camps at a Surat hotel with over 20 MLAs, spelling a crisis for the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday, 21 June, maintained that "everything will be fine."
"I have heard that our MLAs are in Surat, Gujarat and they are not being allowed to leave. But they will certainly return as all of them are dedicated to the Shiv Sena. I trust that all our MLAs will return and everything will be fine," Raut said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil spoke to ANI and indicated that BJP had not received any proposal from Shinde yet, but asserted that "anything can happen in politics at any time."
Raut further claimed that the party was "in touch with all MLAs who are at the resort."
"We are discussing the situation with Uddhav Thackeray ji and Pawar sahib. Those working with the thought that they are kingmakers will be unsuccessful," he said.
Shinde, along with some Shiv Sena MLAs is reported to have gone incommunicado, a day after the MVA (comprising the Shiv Sena, the Congress, and the NCP) suffered a setback in the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls as all five candidates of the BJP secured victory.
Following Shinde's rebellion, he was sacked as the legislative party leader on Tuesday.
'An Internal Shiv Sena Issue': NCP chief Sharad Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar said that Shinde's defiance was Shiv Sena's internal matter.
"Eknath Shinde never told us about his CM ambitions. This is an internal issue of Shiv Sena, whatever they decide we're with them. I am sure Uddhav Thackeray will handle the situation," Pawar told reporters on Tuesday.
"We are sure that there is no need to make any changes in the MVA government for that," he said.
Meanwhile, NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil claimed that all MLAs were in touch with the MVA government.
"We know that Eknath Shinde, along with some MLAs, is in Surat. I don't think Shiv Sainiks will do something against the Shiv Sena chief. I am confident that CM Uddhav Thackeray will keep all MLAs unified. All MLAs are in contact with us," Patil was quoted as saying by ANI.
'Will Definitely Consider It': Maha BJP Prez on Allying With Rebel Sena MLAs
Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said his party has got nothing to do with political developments shaking the state, but added that if the BJP receives any proposal from Eknath Shinde to form government, they would "definitely consider it."
"It is a handle-with-care situation. We have to see it very keenly. We are observing all situations," he stated.
"If the BJP receives any proposal from Eknath Shinde to form government, we would definitely consider it seriously. After all, we all have worked together in the past, hence it is much better to work and run a government with them," Patil told news agency PTI.
Patil also claimed that Raut was solely responsible for the attenuated relations between the Sena and the BJP.
'Well Done Eknathji': Narayan Rane Demands Uddhav's Resignation
Meanwhile, Union minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, alleging that he lacked the support of sufficient MLAs.
"Because of Shinde's move, Uddhav Thackeray (who heads Shiv Sena) does not have the support of sufficient MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. He should tender his resignation," Rane demanded.
Tweeting in support of the rebellion, Rane said, "Well done Eknath ji, you took the right decision at the appropriate time. Otherwise, soon you would have ended up like Anand Dighe," Rane said in Marathi. Dighe, a Shiv Sena leader from Thane, died in 2001.
"Shinde was not treated with respect in Shiv Sena by party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray's son and cabinet minister Aaditya and his cousin brother Varun Sardesai were also interfering in the Shinde-controlled Urban Development department. Hence, it is the right decision for him to leave Sena," the BJP leader alleged, reported PTI.
Further, senior BJP leader and former state minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, when asked if the BJP would try to form the government with the support of the Shiv Sena 'rebel' MLAs, said he would not comment on it as he has not spoken to his party colleagues about these developments.
"In the MLC elections on Monday, the BJP managed to secure 134 votes, which technically means we are short of 11 votes (in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly) to stake claim to form government. But, it easier to say it than actually make it happen," he said.
Union Minister Raosaheb Danve said that it was clear after the Legislative Council elections that people were fed up with the MVA. "No one has any control on anyone. There is complete negligence towards problems of the people. After the Legislative Council elections, the environment in the state has become clear. People are now fed up with the government. We will observe the happenings," the BJP leader said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said on Tuesday that MVA losing numbers in the MLC polls was a matter of concern.
Congress Leaders Give Assurance of Stability
Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said that the MVA government would complete its full term.
"I think the government is stable in Maharashtra. There is nothing to worry about. The Maharashtra government will complete its full course," Pilot was quoted as saying by ANI.
On the other hand, the Congress' Harish Rawat said that the BJP was attempting to "buy" people to foment instability.
"Our alliance is with the Shiv Sena. What is happening in their house is their responsibility and Uddhav Thackeray will look into it. Our government in Maharashtra will continue. Even the BJP can't form a government. They can buy some people to create instability, but they won't succeed," he said.
The former Uttarakhand chief minister also slammed the BJP as a "power-hungry" party.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
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