In the morning, Eknath Shinde had gone incommunicado and was reportedly staying at the Le Meridian hotel in Gujarat’s Surat city.
Mumbai: On a day of high drama, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reportedly had a 10-minute conversation with rebel minister and party MLA Eknath Shinde. Sources said no breakthrough happened as Shinde stuck to his point of demanding a merger with the BJP in Maharashtra.
In the morning, Eknath Shinde had gone incommunicado and was reportedly staying at the Le Meridian hotel in Gujarat’s Surat city. Shinde is reportedly staying with 21 other Shiv Sena MLAs. During his phone call with Thackeray, Shinde is reported to have told him that he is a true Shiv Sainik and his move is for the betterment of Shiv Sena. He also told Thackeray that he hasn’t signed any contract with the BJP and wants Thackeray to break the alliance with Congress.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP leaders hailed Eknath Shinde and said the state unit of the saffron party is ready to form the government with him. According to reports, two Shiv Sena leaders had met Shinde at the hotel to coax him to return to Mumbai.
While Shiv Sena has already removed Eknath Shinde as the party group leader, Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut alleged that the BJP has abducted the MLAs and those making an attempt to leave the hotel are being attacked. However, the BJP has denied such claims but did agree that they are meeting the MLAs and engaging in talks to pave a way for the BJP in Maharashtra.
Amid such a political turmoil, where thousands of Shiv Sena workers were seen hitting the streets in protest against Eknath Shinde, National Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said he would visit Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai and discuss the situation.
