GUWAHATI:
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde left for Mumbai from Guwahati on June 28 evening and is likely to plan his next move to challenge Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to a test of strength.
Shinde, who has been camping in the luxurious hotel in Guwahati, spoke to the press before leaving, and said, “We are not forming a separate party. We are still in Shiv Sena and will be taking Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva forward.”
The rebel leader of Shiv Sena claimed that he has the support of 48 MLAs and are united. “I have 48 people with me in Guwahati. They have come on their own and for Hindutva,” Shinde further said.
Shinde said that he will speak to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on formation of a new government in the state. “I am not leaving the Shiv Sena. I am the real Shiv Sainik,” Shinde said, rubbishing the claims of Thackeray that some 15-20 MLAs were in touch with him and they want to return to Mumbai.
According to the report, Shinde also consulted lawyers to discuss the possibility of a floor test in the Maharashtra assembly.
Sources hinted that under the new strategy, Prahar Janshakti Party MLA and minister Omprakash Babarao Kadu alias Bacchu is likely to meet Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and appeal for a no-trust vote against chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. Bachchu has been with the Shinde camp since the beginning.
The new strategy has been chalked out after Bachchu’s round-the-clock meetings with Shinde at the Guwahati hotel last week.
Meanwhile, sources here said that the rebel legislator is likely to visit Delhi for consultations with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was the main enabler of the staggering revolt that has seen Maharashtra chief minister lose most of his party MLAs to the rival camp.
Shinde is likely to meet senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Delhi apart from top strategist and Union home minister Amit Shah. On June 27, the Supreme Court gave Shinde and 15 rebels time till July 12 to respond to the disqualification notices issued to them.