Eknath Shinde

 Eknath Shinde

Overnight rebellion within Shiv Sena to Eknath Shinde as CM, how ...

Overnight rebellion within Shiv Sena to Eknath Shinde as CM, how the Maharashtra drama unfolded

After days of high drama and quite a few twists, the Maharashtra political thriller has seemingly concluded. Here’s a lookback at how the whirlwind chain of events unfolded.

After days of high drama and quite a few twists, Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy. The surprising development came a day after Uddhav Thackeray, who led the three-party Maha Vikas Aghadi government, stepped down as CM ahead of a floor test.

Here’s how the Maharashtra political crisis unfolded:

1. After suspected cross-voting in Legislative Council elections, CM Uddhav Thackeray called an urgent meeting of all Shiv Sena MLAs. All MLAs were strictly asked to remain present at the meeting. However, Shiv Sena leader and minister Eknath Shinde was untraceable, along with 11 MLAs.

On the same day, sources in Surat confirmed that over a dozen legislators from Maharashtra were lodged at the Le Meridien hotel.

2. As the news of the rebellion spread, Shiv Sena removed Shinde from the post of legislature party leader.

A flurry of meetings took place between Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP the next day. Meanwhile, the rebel Sena MLAs shifted bases from Surat to Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam.

On arrival, Eknath Shinde claimed he had the support of 40 MLAs, more than the number required to back the anti-defection law.

As the crisis grew, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the public and said he was ready to quit as CM and Sena chief if the rebel MLAs came forward and demanded so. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad met Thackeray, reportedly ensuring him support.

3. On June 23 morning, Deepak Kesakar (MLA from Sawantwadi), Mangesh Kudalkar (Chembur) and Sada Sarvankar (Dadar) reached Guwahati, plunging the MVA government into further turmoil.

All rebel MLAs appeared together in a video for the first time in a show of strength. The Shiv Sena maintained that MLAs were "kidnapped and taken to Guwahati".

4. On day 4, Eknath Shinde and the BJP denied the latter's involvement in the rebellion even as Shiv Sena demanded the disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs. The request was submitted to the Deputy Speaker. In response, two independent MLAs decided to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Deputy Speaker.

This no-confidence vote, signed by 34 MLAs, was rejected by Zirwal because the petition was sent through an anonymous e-mail and not submitted by an MLA himself.

5. The crisis eventually spilled onto the streets as Shiv Sainiks (party workers) vandalised the offices of some rebel MLAs and raised slogans in support of Uddhav Thackeray. Rebel MLA Tanaji Sawant's office was vandalised in Pune. Eknath Shinde's son and MP Shrikant Shinde's office were vandalised in Thane.

The Deputy Speaker then issued notices to 16 rebel MLAs, seeking answers about their absence at a legislative meeting called by Shiv Sena.

6. The political showdown reached the Supreme Court as Eknath Shinde moved to dispute the rejection of the no-confidence vote against the Deputy Speaker. The top court granted interim relief to Shinde and his rebel group of MLAs by extending the time to file a response to the disqualification notice sent by the Deputy Speaker till July 12.

The Supreme Court sought a comprehensive affidavit from the Deputy Speaker on whether the motion to remove the speaker was received and why it was rejected, along with the supplementing documents.

On the same day, Uddhav Thackeray took away the charge of nine rebel ministers and handed it over to other ministers in his cabinet.

7. The next day, Thackeray adopted a conciliatory mien and made an emotional appeal to the rebel faction ensconced in Assam's Guwahati, saying it's not "too late" for them to return to Mumbai and hold talks with him. The Shinde camp was unmoved.

The political developments in Maharashtra — from sequestering of the Eknath Shinde-led rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, to the swearing-in of the new government on Thursday – were closely worked out by the BJP central leadership, with even key player Devendra Fadnavis not aware of the finishing touch, party sources said.

As Eknath Shinde took the oath and became the chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday after 9 days of political battle, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray offered him two suggestions. Former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray's cousin Raj Thackeray had also walked the same road as he had rebelled against Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray in 2005 following a power struggle between him and Uddhav Thackeray. Also Read | Maharashtra crisis: Conceded CM’s chair but key portfolios to remain with BJP

‘Balasaheb's Shiv Sainik is CM’- Eknath Shinde thanks Devendra Fadnavis | Top 10 developments

"Be alert. Take measured steps," Raj Thackeray advised Eknath Shinde after Thursday's swearing-in. "Providence has given you this opportunity. I hope you will prove it with your performance," Raj Thackeray said expressing his happiness as Shinde became the chief minister.

Raj Thackeray had maintained a low profile as Maharashtra witnessed the political coup. However, Eknath Shinde was believed to have spoken to Raj Thackeray twice amid the doldrums -- but mainly to enquire about his health as the MNS chief underwent surgery recently.

After the resignation of Uddhav Thackeray, the MNS chief posted a public message on Twitter taking a veiled dig at Uddhav as he said, "When one mistakes good fortune as one's personal accomplishment, therein begins the journey towards the decline." The MNS chief implied that the CM's chair was Uddhav Thackeray's good fortune that he attained after the Shiv Sena joined hands with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, walking out of its alliance with the BJP -- not something that Uddhav earned.

Raj Thackeray's Hanuman Chalisa-loudspeaker dare -- where he said his party members will play Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques if the illegal loudspeakers are not removed from religious places -- created a stir in Maharashtra days before Eknath Shinde's rebellion.