As Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray faces a revolt within his Shiv Sena, the party’s Sanjay Raut, in a tweet today, hinted at dissolution of the assembly.
“The ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra is heading towards the dissolution of Vidhan Sabha,” Mr Raut tweeted in Marathi.
Rebel Eknath Shinde, who triggered the crisis, has claimed the support of 46 MLAs. Eknath Shinde needs the support of 37 MLAs – a two-third majority in his party – to split the party without facing disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Raut had earlier downplayed the threat of the impending coup in his party.
Congress leader Kamal Nath told the reporters that Uddhav Thackeray has tested positive for Covid and he will chair the cabinet meeting virtually.
Earlier, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was admitted to a Mumbai hospital this morning with coronavirus symptoms. The governor said that anyone who wanted to contact him could do so via video conferencing.
Shinde told reporters he is not breaking away from Shiv Sena and he wants to carry forward Sena founder Balasaheb Thackery’s Hindutva ideology.
“We have not left Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and will not leave it. We believe in Hindutva,” he said.
