NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, the Enforcement Directorate on Monday summoned Shiv
Sena
MP
Sanjay Raut
in connection with a money laundering case in the state.
The Supreme Court will on Monday hear pleas of rebel MLAs led by Eknath
Shinde
against the disqualification notice issued by the Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal against him and 15 other rebel legislators.
Shinde has also called a meeting of the rebel MLAs in Guwahati, as the political tug of war continues in Maharashtra.
Here are the top developments in the story so far:
Shinde camp withdraws support to MVA govt: SC petition
In their petition before the court, the rebel camp of MLAs led by
Eknath Shinde
has stated that they are withdrawing support to the MVA government.
With this, the MVA government has lost majority in the house as 38 members of the Shiv Sena Legislature party have pulled out of the 3-party alliance in the state.
15 rebel Sena MLAs move court against disqualification notices
The Supreme Court on Monday will take up petitions moved by rebel Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde on Sunday, challenging the disqualification notices sent by Maharashtra deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal to them on June 21, saying that they represented misuse of the anti-defection law by a vengeful MVA coalition.
Shinde in his writ petition has said the deputy speaker has lost his position as the MVA government has been reduced to a minority and in such a situation, he has no authority to invoke provisions of the Members of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on ground of Defection) Rules, 1986, and send notices to him and 15 other MLAs, which form part of the breakaway group of 38 Sena legislators.
Will fight till the very end, says Sanjay Raut
Amid the deepening political crisis in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut today said that CM
Uddhav Thackeray
will not resign and that we will fight till the very end.
With the Centre providing Y-plus security to the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, he said it was now evident that the BJP was “pulling the strings” amid the current political turmoil in the state.
Speaking to media, ahead of rebel camp’s plea hearing in the Supreme Court, he said that those staying at Guwahati hotel are “traitors” and added that “we don’t change our fathers.”
“I tweeted a video of speech of Gulabrao Patil where he is talking about those who change their fathers. My tweet is for people sitting in Guwahati. Patil said in his speech – People eat, drink and enjoy with the party and then change their father, we aren’t like them.”
ED summons Raut in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Shiv Sena firebrand MP Sanjay Raut in a laundering case in connection with Patra Chawl land scam case.
Raut has been asked to appear before the central probe agency on June 28, Tuesday.
The case pertains to irregularities in a chawl redevelopment project at Mumbai’s Goregaon. The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 11.15 crore of three people, including Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s wife Varsha Raut.
Shinde may return to meet governor, seek floor test
According to sources, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde may return to Mumbai early this week and seek a meeting to resolve the political logjam.
A week into the rebellion, the key demands of the MLAs who are camping in Guwahati have not been yet. Their demands are that the leadership jettison its alliance with the Congress and NCP and re-align with the BJP.
They have also not been able to get the deputy speaker to accept their claim to appoint a legislature party leader of their choice.
Experts say going to court and seeking the governor’s intervention may be their only options, especially since they have rejected any plans of a merger with the BJP.
Sena MPs ask Uddhav to assess 2024 poll prospects
Shiv Sena MPs who met chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged the party chief to assess the scenario for the 2024 general elections and find a compromise formula that would keep the rebels’ demands in mind.
Around 16 out of the 18 Sena Lok Sabha MPs attended the meeting. While all the MPs reposed faith in Thackeray’s leadership, some cautioned him to seek a middle path to avert a split in the Sena keeping in mind electoral prospects in 2024.
Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar dismissed rumours of any differences of opinion between the MPs and the party chief. “Two MPs did not turn up as expected but all 16 others were present. There are rumours about MPs also planning to rebel but they are all bogus,” Kirtikar said.
Two MPs, Shrikant Shinde, son of rebel lea der Eknath Shinde, and MP Bhavana Gawli did not attend the meeting. Sources said a section of MPs were keen that the leadership explore ways to bring the rebels back into the fold and consider the possibility of re-aligning with the BJP
Busy weekend for rebels as they boost tally
Education minister Uday Samant, who switched to the rebel Shiv Sena camp on Sunday, was present at the party’s national executive meeting a day earlier.
He is part of the core group formed after the revolt and was privy to the leadership’s legal strategy.
Sources say the one-time NCP leader has negotiated for a cabinet berth and guardian ministership of Ratnagiri in the new government.
Meanwhile, a PIL was filed against Eknath Shinde and other rebel MLAs in Bombay high court for “neglecting” their official duties and seeking directions to them to resume office
