Eknath Shinde Along With Shiv Sena MLAs Reach Guwahati

Guwahati: After the uproar within the Shiv Sena party in Maharashtra, a group of nearly 40 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, along with their leader Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday left their hotel in Gujarat's Surat and reached Guwahati.

In the present scenario, the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government have tightened its belt to save the incumbent government in the state.

Eknath Shinde, who camped in Surat, Gujarat from Maharashtra, has reached Guwahati, including 33 party MLAs and 7 independent MLAs.

Speaking to media after reaching Guwahati, Eknath Shinde said that they have 40 MLAs.

Meanwhile, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a cabinet meeting at 1 pm today.

Eknath Shinde, who rebelled against Shiv Sena, went to Surat along with party MLAs to demand the formation of a government with BJP in Maharashtra.

Notably, Eknath Shinde, one of the most loyal leaders of Shiv Sena, has taken more than two dozen MLAs with him while rebelling in the party.

Reportedly, before leaving for Guwahati at Surat airport, Eknath Shinde clearly stated that he hasn't left Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena and will not leave it further.

''We are following Balasaheb's Hindutva and will take it further,'' he added.

Eknath Shinde, who is currently a four-time MLA in Maharashtra, is the Minister of Urban Development and PWD in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Maharashtra.

After the death of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke, one seat is vacant in the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. In such a situation, any party or alliance needs 144 MLAs to stay in power with a majority. At the same time, in the elections held in the year 2019, BJP had won 105 seats which have now become 106 after winning the Pandharpur assembly by-election.

Shiv Sena currently has 55 MLAs, NCP has 53 MLAs and Congress has 44 MLAs. There are 13 independents in the house. Of the thirteen independent candidates, six are supporters of the BJP, five have supported the Shiv Sena, while the Congress and the NCP have one independent each.