Live: Shiv Sena must walk out of 'unnatural alliance', says rebel Shinde

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Live news updates: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday called a meeting of all Shiv Sena legislators at 5 pm in Mumbai amid a revolt within the party. Those who do not attend may have their membership cancelled, the party warned. Eknath Shinde, who leads the party rebellion, has claimed the support of 46 MLAs.

Thackeray chaired a meeting of his cabinet virtually after he tested positive for Covid. "The ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra is heading towards the dissolution of Vidhan Sabha," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted in Marathi this morning.

Shinde on Wednesday made a bid to project his group as the real Shiv Sena, appointing a Chief Whip and declaring the meeting called by party chief Uddhav Thackeray this evening "illegal". He has claimed the support of 46 MLAs, news reports say.

9:07 PM

Shiv Sena must walk out of unnatural alliance: Eknath Shinde

Rebel leader Eknath Shinde says Shiv Sena must walk out of "unnatural alliance" to save party and party workers, referring to the his party’s government along with Congress and NCP. “In the last two years under the MVA government, only the coalition partners benefitted while the Shiv Sainiks were left frustrated. While our allies gained strength the Shiv Sena and Sainiks were deliberately weakened. For ensuring the survival of the party and Sainiks, it is necessary to step out of this unnatural alliance. It is time to take a decision for the greater good of Maharashtra,” he said on Twitter, writing in Marathi.

7:09 PM

'Why make statements from Surat and other places,' Thackeray tells rebels

"Why make statements from Surat and other places? Come and tell me to my face that I am incompetent to handle the posts of chief minister and Shiv Sena president. I will resign immediately. I will keep my resignation letter ready and you can come and take it to Raj Bhavan," Uddhav Thackeray said in more than a 15-minute speech broadcast on Facebook.

6:53 PM

Shiv Sena will survive: Congress leader

6:42 PM

Shiv Sena MLA Kesarkar says he wants party to resume alliance with BJP

Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar says he supports rebel leader Eknath Shinde’s demand to form the Maharashtra government in an alliance with the BJP. Kesarkar added that he was still in party president Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, reports Indian Express.

6:39 PM

Sharad Pawar meets Uddhav Thackeray

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, along with his party leaders' Jayant Patil and Supriya Sule, is meeting Uddhav Thackeray amid a political crisis in Maharashtra, reports NDTV.

 

6:02 PM

Ready to quit if there is an official statement from rebel MLAs: Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Wednesday he is ready to resign if there is an official statement from MLAs who have revolted against him. "I will give my resignation letter is they come before me and ask for it," said Thackeray in a Facebook broadcast, referring to the political crisis created by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's rebellion.

 

5:58 PM

If my own people don't want me, what can be done: Uddhav Thackeray

If my own people don't want me, what can be done: Uddhav Thackeray
 
"If NCP and Congress say they don't want me is acceptable and expected. But, if my own people don't want me, what can be done?" says Uddhav Thackeray, referring to rebellion in his party.

5:55 PM

I didn't yearn for chief minister's post: Uddhav

I didn't yearn for chief minister's post--it came to me accidentally: Uddhav Thackeray

5:55 PM

I am ready to quit any time: Uddhav Thackeray

I will be happy if some other Shiv Sainik becomes chief minister. It doesn’t have to be me. I am ready to quit any time; positions come and go: Uddhav Thackeray

5:50 PM

I am not somebody who is going to fight for a chair: Uddhav

I am not somebody who is going to fight for a chair (CM's post): Uddhav Thackeray

5:49 PM

Congress and NCP leaders called me: Uddhav Thackeray

Congress leader Kamal Nath and NCP’s Sharad Pawar called me this morning: Uddhav Thackeray

5:48 PM

I have fulfilled my responsibility: Uddhav Thackeray

I have fulfilled my responsibility as chief minister to the best of my abilities. I have kept by promise to Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackeray

5:44 PM

Shiv Sena is never going to leave Hindutva: Uddhav

Shiv Sena is never going to leave Hindutva, says Uddhav Thackeray

5:34 PM

Thackeray's office says he will speak shortly

5:29 PM

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde likely to address press conference

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde is likely to address a press conference at 7pm, multiple reports say. As many as 34 Shiv Sena MLAs, who are part of the breakaway faction, have passed a resolution appointing Shinde as the leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature party.