Mumbai: The writing seems to be on the wall for the coalition government in Maharashtra after the revolt of 34-odd Shiv Sena MLAs. But Uddhav Thackeray is not immediately resigning as Maharashtra chief minister.
Addressing the people through a Facebook Live session on Wednesday evening, Uddhav called on the rebel MLAs – led by state minister and Sena leader Eknath Shinde — to come up and tell him on his face that they did not have the trust in him. In that case, he will quit as his resignation letter is ready.
“It’s not about numbers but how many are against me. I will leave even if one person or MLA is against me. It’s very shameful for me if even a single MLA is against me. If my own people don’t want me in the CM post, if some MLAs say they don’t want me as chief minister, I will resign immediately… I will move from Varsha to Matoshree,” he said, speaking mostly in Marathi.
“But say that on my face, why go to Surat. I am not someone who would fight for the chair. Those who think I am incapable of leading the Shiv Sena, they must come to me. I am ready to relinquish this role as well,” said Uddhav who has contracted COVID-19.
He informed that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Congress leader Kamal Nath had called him to say they want him to continue as chief minister.
Uddhav added that if he quits as CM, someone from the Sena should take over.
Eknath Shinde and his fellow-rebels landed in a Surat hotel on Monday night. The day after, they shifted to Guwahati where they met and passed a resolution against Uddhav’s leadership.
