Maharashtra Crisis: Eknath Shinde in Guwahati, claims he has 40 MLAs with him

In what brings more trouble to the rickety Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, rebel Shiv Sena MLA has claimed the support of 35 to 40 MLAs -- which may be enough to bring down the two-and-a-half-year old alliance.

However, leaders of Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Congress have ruled out any immediate threat to the tri-party alliance.

“We have the support of 40 MLAs,” Shinde said after the rebels were moved from Surat to Guwahati in a chartered plane.

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“We all are followers of Balasaheb Thackeray, we have neither left Shiv Sena nor plan to leave Shiv Sena…I must remember what Balasaheb, who used to say -- ‘garv se kaho hum Hindu hai,” Shinde said before leaving Surat.

They are now closeted at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, where local BJP leaders are overseeing the arrangements.

Along with Shinde, three ministers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government—Abdul Sattar and Shambhraje Desai of Shiv Sena and Bacchu Kadu of Prahar Janshakti Party—too were seen.

Kadu, who is from the Prahar Janshakti Party, said that 36 MLAs are already there and some more are expected.

The rebels are in touch with independents as well as some Congress and NCP MLAs.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: “It is difficult for him to leave the party…it is difficult for the party to leave him.”

Asked whether there is resentment against Thackeray, Bhumre said: “40 MLAs have not come together without any reason.”

Raut said he had spoken to Shinde and had briefed Thackeray about the latest developments. “We are talking to him, he is not only a colleague but a friend…We hope that all of them will come back,” he said, ruling out any threat to the government.

Raut said that he also spoke to Pawar on the developments. “What will happen…at the most the government will go, but reputation is more important,” Raut said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was admitted to the Reliance Foundation Hospital after he tested Covid-19 positive. Along with him, CM Uddhav Thackeray has also tested positive for coronavirus

Pawar is meeting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and state NCP President Jayant Patil.

Congress veteran Kamal Nath is in Mumbai and will hold meetings with top leaders including state president Nana Patole, Congress Legislature Party leader and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan.

The weekly Cabinet meeting was held at 1 pm, chaired by Uddhav virtually.

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A chartered flight carrying Shiv Sena MLAs, who have rebelled against the party bringing a crisis to the MVA government in Maharashtra, arrived in Guwahati early Wednesday.

The flight from Surat in Gujarat landed at Guwahati's Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi international airport at around 6.30 am, PTI reported. The exact number of rebel Shiv Sena MLAs travelling in the flight is not known immediately but the flight had 89 passengers, including onboard crew, sources said.

The Maharashtra MLAs were taken in special buses to a city hotel with police protection.

Assam is currently ruled by a BJP-led government. Top leadership of Assam BJP and the state government are believed to have been making arrangements for the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs accommodation in Guwahati, PTI's report said.

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This is perhaps for the first time that MLAs from a Western Indian state is being taken to a Northeastern state after their rebellion against the party leadership.

Earlier, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed 14 to 15 Sena MLAs, including some ministers, are with Shinde in Gujarat's Surat city. However, another party leader said the number could be 23.

Shiv sena has 56 MLAs in Maharashtra legislative assembly which has joined hands with NCP and Congress post 2019 assembly polls and formed government, breaking its alliance with the BJP.

(With PTI inputs)