SURAT: In a big political development, at least 11 Shiv Sena MLAs are camping in a luxury hotel in Gujarat’s Surat district. The MLAs are led by senior Shiv Sena leader and urban development minister in Maharashtra government Eknath Shinde.
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Meanwhile, heavy police bandobast has been installed at the luxury hotel at Magdalla Crossroads in Surat where the MLAs are camping. Movement of unauthorised persons has been restricted.
The political turmoil in Maharashtra over cross voting in legislative assembly in favour of BJP by ruling party MLAs is believed to be the reason behind the MLAs suddenly going missing from Mumbai and reaching Surat. The development can further lead to instability in Uddhav Thackeray government, sources claimed.
Tight security in place outside Le Meridien hotel on Dumas road in #Surat where ‘rebel’ #ShivSena MLAs are camping.… https://t.co/S2cSZNFqgC— TOI Surat (@TOISurat) 1655787390000
Sources close to the development in Gujarat BJP informed that Shinde and other rebel leaders were in touch with Gujarat BJP chief C R Patil. After reaching Surat the group of MLAs claimed to have met Patil.
“I am in Gandhinagar. I came to know that the MLAs have come to Surat,” said Patil, he refused to further comment on the issue at the moment.
Eknath Shinde wields influence in some of the satellite cities of Mumbai.
“He (Shinde) was at the Shiv Sena office in the Legislative Assembly premises on Monday when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was present there. But, no one knows about him after that. He was not present during the counting (for MLC polls),” the Sena party leader said.
The opposition BJP on Monday won all five seats it contested in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections for 10 seats, while Congress candidate and Dalit leader Chandrakant Handore lost, in another setback for the MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, after the Rajya Sabha polls earlier this month.
Two candidates each of the Shiv Sena and NCP won, while the Congress managed to bag just one seat.
Ten Council seats were up for grabs and 11 candidates were in the fray for the elections, which came days after the Rajya Sabha polls, which saw the BJP handing an embarrassing defeat to the Shiv Sena-led ruling coalition.
(With inputs from agencies)