Maharashtra Crisis Dragged To Supreme Court; 9th Minister Joins Rebel Camp

Guwahati: The Maharashtra crisis has been dragged to the country’s apex court.

The Shiv Sena rebels, led by Eknath Shinde, have moved the Supreme Court challenging the move to disqualify 16 MLAs. The Supreme Court is likely to hear the matter tomorrow morning.

Deputy speaker of Maharashtra Assembly Narhari Zirwal earlier issued disqualification notices against 16 MLAs, and asked them to file a written reply by Monday.

According to Shiv Sena’s senior counsel advocate Devdutta Kamat, proceedings have been initiated by the party against 16 MLAs, under the provision in Constitution which says a person is eligible for disqualification if he gives up membership of a party.

With the Shiv Sena split into two, neither party is willing to blink.

Shinde’s faction grew in strength as another MLA — Uday Samant from Ratnagiri — flew to Guwahati on Sunday. He is the ninth minister to join the rebel camp.

Despite being pushed to a corner, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is refusing to give up as coalition partners NCP and Congress are backing him.

“Eknath Shinde and other MLAs who have gone with him to Guwahati have said they will form a new alliance, but NCP and Congress’ policy is clear.. to support the coalition government that we had formed. MVA government is there (in Maharashtra) and we want to continue supporting it,” NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Monday.