Sena Says ’20 MLAs in Touch’ As More Rebels Reach Assam

Maharashtra Political Crisis Live Updates: Amid impasse of the Shiv Sena central leadership with its rebel MLAs that has destabilised the Maha Vihas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state, rebel MLA Sanjay Shirsat penned a scathing letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, alleging that he never met his own people but coddled allies.

The 3-page letter, tweeted by rebel leader Eknath Shinde, who called it the ‘voice of all MLAs’, also alleged humiliation by the ‘middlemen’ surrounding Thackeray.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday, 23 June, told party leaders to stand by CM Uddhav Thackeray and ensure that the alliance stays in power.

The statement by Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil came following a meeting of senior party leaders with Pawar in Mumbai. Pawar is also scheduled to meet NCP MLAs at 5 pm today.

Meanwhile, several senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders beelined at former CM Devendra Fadnavis’ residence in Mumbai on Thursday.

With more MLAs joining the rebellion by Shiv Sena in Guwahati on Thursday morning, his camp now claims support of at least 41 leaders, including independent MLAs. Shiv Sena national spokesperson Sanjay Raut, meanwhile, told the media that the party is in touch with at least 20 MLAs.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday night vacated his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai and moved to his family home ‘Matoshree’ in suburban Bandra, hours after offering to quit the top post.

Scenes from outside Matoshree on Wednesday night: