Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: As the political stalemate in Maharashtra continues, the Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal issued disqualification notices to 16 rebel MLA's of the party, including Eknath Shinde. All 16 MLAs are expected to file replies by Monday, 27 June.
Meanwhile, rebel leader Deepak Kesarkar called the disqualification notices invalid, as the rebel group has 2/3rd majority and said that whips are to be issued for Assembly purposes and not for private meetings.
Kesarkar also said that the MLAs feel "unsafe" to return to the state in the wake of the attacks on offices of rebel leaders and urged CM Thackeray to maintain law and order.
The briefing came after the executive meet led by Uddhav Thackeray passed a resolution to stop the Eknath Shinde camp from using the party's or Balasaheb Thackeray's name.
The group led by Shinde decided to call itself 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb', Kesarkar had earlier announced.
Meanwhile, as several Shiv Sena workers attacked offices of rebel leaders in several parts of the state, the Mumbai police till 10 July imposed Section 144 of the CrPc in the city that prohibits the gathering of more than four people, hours after issuing a high alert.
The Thane District Administration had earlier banned political gatherings till 30 June and also imposed Section 144 of CrPC in Thane city.
Glimpses of the crisis:
- 01/08
Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray leaves from Matoshree to attend a party meeting, in Mumbai, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 02/08
Police personnel outside the residence of Eknath Shinde in Thane, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 03/08
NCP President Sharad Pawar arrives to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, at Matoshree in Bandra, in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 04/08
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi interacts with media as she comes out of Sena Bhavan after a meeting, at Dadar, in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 05/08
Member of Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe interacts with media outside Sena Bhavan after a meeting, at Dadar, in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 06/08
Independent MLA Ravi Rana arrives to meet BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 07/08
Shiv Sena supporters gather outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays Matoshree residence, at Bandra in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
- 08/08
NCP MLA Vidya Chavan with her supporters stages an agitation outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays residence, at Bandra in Mumbai, Friday, June 24, 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
The Shiv Sena's meeting of the party's national executive committee at Sena Bhavan was held on Saturday
While Paranda MLA Tanaji Sawant's office was attacked in Pune, party workers threw ink and vandalised posters of rebel MLA Sandipan Bhumre in Aurangabad
The Shiv Sena has sought the disqualification of 16 MLAs so far
Thackeray on Friday challenged the rebels to "run the party without the Thackeray name" while slamming the BJP for destabilising the government
The Shiv Sena on Friday said that the Eknath Shinde camp would not be able to stake claim to the party name and logo
Eknath Shinde currently has the support of at least 40 Shiv Sena MLAs and some more independents
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
'Traditionally Rivals of NCP & Congress': Rebel MLA
"We are traditionally the rivals of NCP and Congress, they are our primary challengers in constituencies. We requested CM Uddhav Thackeray that natural alliance should be done" said Shiv Sena rebel MLA Chimanrao Patil in a video message posted by rebel leader Eknath Shinde.
He added, "As there was no response from CM, our leader Eknath Shinde took stand because every Shiv Sena worker wants natural alliance."
'Rebels Will Lose Their Posts in 24 Hours': Raut
Speaking to a Marathi channel, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the rebel ministers and Eknath Shinde will lose their posts "in 24 hours".
He added, "the process of their removal is on”, saying that “Ministers like Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse, Sandipan Bhumre were considered to be loyal Shiv Sena workers who were made cabinet ministers by Uddhav Thackeray....the party has given them enough. They have taken the wrong path and will lose their posts in 24 hours,” The Indian Express quoted.
Legislature Secretary Asks Rebels to Reply to Sena’s Disqualification Plea
The Maharashtra legislature secretariat on Saturday issued `summons' to 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, including senior minister Eknath Shinde, seeking written replies to the complaints seeking their disqualification by the evening of 27 June.
The summons issued by Sena's chief whip, Sunil Prabhu on Saturday said that he had submitted a letter to deputy speaker of the Assembly Narhari Zirwal seeking their disqualification under The Members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on ground of Defection) Rules, 1986.
“In your defence of the summons, you need to submit your written response before 5.30 pm on June 27 (Monday) supported by all the necessary documents. If the written response to the summons is not submitted in given period, it would be considered as you have no say over it. The office will initiate necessary action based on the complaint filed by Prabhu against you,” the letter said.
'Battle Between Truth and Deceit': Aditya Thackeray
While leaving the Sena Bhavan after the party's executive meet, Aditya Thackeray told the media that the battle with the rebels is of "truth and deceit."