A Yuva Sena Bike rally was held outside the Saamana office in Mumbai, Sunday morning, in a show of solidarity to Aaditya Thackeray. Sena cadre workers held traffic at ransom in the area as they brandished saffron Sena flags on their ride.
Taking stock of the growing unease in the city, Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, has written wrote a letter to Mumabi CP and DGP. Significantly, the governor returned to Raj Bhavan Sunday morning after being discharged from hospital where he was being treated for Covid-19. As turmoil brews in the state, Koshyari’s presence at Raj Bhavan is crucial.
If Uddhav Thackeray decides to dissolve the Assembly and go in for fresh elections, the Governor is empowered to disagree. The decision to dissolve the Assembly can take place only if the Chief Minister and Governor are on the same page.
Meanwhile, at least 20 MLAs camping with rebel leader Eknath Shinde are reportedly in touch with the Thackeray Sena, top level sources confirmed to scribes.
The Shiv Sena is planning to take action against Eknath Shinde and other rebel ministers. Accordingly, ministers Eknath Shinde, Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse are likely to lose their portfolios. Abdul Sattar and Shamburaje Desai – both Ministers of State – are also likely to face punitive action.
Despite being reduced to a minority, Team Thackeray has dismissed Shinde’s assertion that he will stake claim for the party symbol. In an open challenge to rebels, Aaditya Thackeray asked them to “defect and fight” the elections. “If you have guts, leave Shiv Sena – defect and fight. If you think what we have done is wrong, Uddhavji‘s leadership is wrong and we all are wrong, then resign and face elections. We are ready,” he said.
Reports also indicate differences within the Shinde camp over plans to merge the group with the BJP. Shinde also has the option of merging with Prahar Janshakti Party, whose chief, Maharashtra minister Bachchu Kadu, is already camping with the rebels in Guwahati.
