Amid political crisis, Eknath Shinde holds midnight meeting with BJP leaders in Gujarat: Sources

The Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition government in Maharashtra plunged into crisis after a group of Sena MLAs led by state minister Shinde revolted against his own party. Shinde and rebel MLAs have been camping at a luxury hotel in Assam's Guwahati.

TN National Desk

Updated Jun 26, 2022, 07:22 IST

Eknath Shinde

Photo : PTI

Mumbai: Amid the escalating political tension in Maharashtra, rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde met BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Gujarat’s Vadodara last night, according to sources.

The two reportedly discussed the possible regime change in Maharashtra. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also in Vadodara last night, people privy to the matter said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition government in Maharashtra plunged into crisis after a group of Sena MLAs led by state minister Shinde revolted against his own party.

Shinde and nearly 40 rebel MLAs are presently camping at a luxury hotel in Assam's Guwahati, posing a threat to the survival of the Maharashtra government.

The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has blamed the opposition BJP for the rebellion in the Shiv Sena and subsequent political instability in the state. However, the saffron party has refuted the charges and said that it has no role in the ongoing crisis.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday hit out at the BJP, saying it wants to "finish off" his outfit and does not want to share its Hindu vote bank.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said that Fadnavis told him that the BJP has neither initiated this rebellion nor supported it.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the former chief minister, the Union minister of state of social justice and empowerment said, "Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde has the support of more than two-third MLAs, thus reducing the MVA government to a minority. Fadnavis told me the BJP has no role to play in this development. The BJP has neither initiated this rebellion nor supported it, he told me. The BJP will wait and watch.”

Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal on Saturday issued disqualification notices to 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs including Shinde. The dissident legislators have been given time till Monday to file their written replies.

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