After days of drama and a lot of twists, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde administered the oath to the new Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy. The surprise development came a day after Uddhav Thackeray, who headed the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi government, stepped down as CM ahead of a floor test.
Here’s how Maharashtra’s political crisis unfolded:
1. CM Uddhav Thackeray has called an immediate meeting of all Shiv Sena MLAs after suspicious cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections. All the MLAs have been asked to be present in the meeting. However, Shiv Sena leader and minister Eknath Shinde is missing along with 11 MLAs.
On the same day, sources in Surat confirmed that over a dozen MLAs from Maharashtra were lodged at the Le Meridien Hotel.
2. As news of the rebellion spread, Shiv Sena removes Shinde from the post of Legislature Party leader,
The next day there was a flurry of meetings between Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. Meanwhile, rebel Shiv Sena MLAs shifted from Surat to Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam.
Upon arrival, Eknath Shinde claimed that he has the support of 40 MLAsMore than the number required to support the anti-defection law.
As the crisis escalated, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the public and said that he is ready to step down as CM and Shiv Sena chief if the rebel MLAs come forward and demand. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad met Thackeray, reportedly ensuring his support.
3. On the morning of 23 June, Deepak Keskar (MLA from Sawantwadi), Mangesh Kudalkar (Chembur) and Sada Sarvankar (Dadar) arrived in Guwahati, plunging the MVA government into further turmoil.
All the rebel MLAs appeared together for the first time in a show of strength in a video. The Shiv Sena said the MLAs were “kidnapped and taken to Guwahati”.
4. On the fourth day, Eknath Shinde and the BJP denied their involvement in the rebellion, while the Shiv Sena demanded the disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs. The request was referred to the Deputy Speaker. In response, two independent legislators decided to move a no-confidence motion against the deputy speaker.
This no-confidence vote, signed by 34 MLAs, was rejected by Jirwal as the petition was sent through an anonymous e-mail and was not presented by an MLA himself.
5. The crisis finally spread to the streets Shiv Sainiks (party workers) ransacked the offices of some rebel MLAs And raised slogans in support of Uddhav Thackeray. Rebel MLA Tanaji Sawant’s office vandalized in Pune. The office of Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde and MP, was vandalized in Thane.
After this, the Deputy Speaker issued notice to 16 rebel MLAs.A legislative meeting called by Shiv Sena sought an answer about his absence.
6. The political spectacle reached the Supreme Court with controversy erupting over the dismissal of the no-confidence motion against Eknath Shinde’s deputy speaker. Supreme Court grants interim relief to Shinde and his group of rebel MLAs Extending the time to file a response Regarding the disqualification notice sent by the Vice-Chairman till July 12.
The Supreme Court had received the proposal to remove the Speaker along with supplementary documents and sought a comprehensive affidavit from the Deputy Speaker on why it was rejected.
On the same day, Uddhav Thackeray took over the charge of nine rebel ministers and handed them over to other ministers of his cabinet.
7. The next day, Thackeray took a conciliatory approach and made an emotional appeal to the rebel faction in Guwahati, Assam, saying it was “not too late” for him to return to Mumbai and hold talks with them. The Shinde camp was adamant.
BJP leaders during this Devendra Fadnavis meets Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari And handed him a letter for floor test in the state assembly.
Following the BJP’s appeal, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday (June 30) issued directions to the government to prove majority in the state assembly.
8. The next day, the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde came out of the luxury hotel in Guwahati and reportedly reached Goa to attend the next day’s assembly proceedings.
In a major setback to the Uddhav faction, the Supreme Court dismissed his plea seeking a stay on the Maharashtra Governor’s direction for a floor test in the assembly.
9. Later in the evening, Uddhav Thackeray presided over the first cabinet meeting. Announcement of resignation from the post of CM and as a member of the Legislative Council in a Facebook Live.
After meeting with his party of rebel MLAs in Goa, Eknath Shinde went to Mumbai alone. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra BJP core group convened at the official residence of Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. After Shinde reached Mumbai, he and Fadnavis called on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
10. Soon after, Fadnavis announced Eknath Shinde as the next Maharashtra chief minister, while also stating that he would not be a part of the state government. BJP president JP Nadda then directed Fadnavis to be part of the Shinde-led Maharashtra government.
Supported by BJP, Eknath Shinde took oath as the 20th Chief Minister on Thursday Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena with the support of a separate faction of MLAs and independents, while Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Deputy CM.
After taking oath in Mumbai, Shinde returned to Goa at midnight and said the future strategy would be discussed in the meeting with his colleagues.