Maharashtra Government

"Many of you are in contact with us and are still emotionally connected with the Shiv Sena. The families of many have also got in touch with us and conveyed your sentiments to us," said Thackeray. He assured that as the head of the Sena family, he respected their views and made it clear from his heart that till date "nobody is out of the party" though the (rebels) are stuck in Guwahati with all kinds of speculation.

"Other than a couple of meetings within themselves, they have no other serious activity in Guwahati. To pass their time, they are playing various indoor games including chess and ludo to keep themselves engaged," a source close to the MLAs told the media on condition of anonymity. The rebel legislators led by disgruntled Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde are not allowed to go outside the hotel. Initially, the MLAs booked rooms of the hotel for about a week.

Rebel leader Minister Eknath Shinde tweeted: "This is the victory of Hindu HridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva and the ideology of Dharmveer Anand Dighe." The faction - currently in a Guwahati hotel - erupted into joy and celebrations after the apex court ruling and also expressed gratitude to the Centre for providing security to the rebel MLAs and their families.

In a letter to the Union Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla, Koshyari said that he had received a representation on Saturday (June 25) from 38 Shiv Sena MLAs, 2 of Prahar Janshakti Party and 7 independents, that the police security to their families "has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn". The Governor added that he has already directed the state police to provide adequate cover to the MLAs, their families and homes on priority.

Para 4 of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, the law on defection, says "the merger of the original political party of a member of a House shall be deemed to have taken place if, and only if, not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party concerned have agreed to such merger". It stressed that the merger has to be between two political parties.

The rebels group submitted its claimed list to Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Narhari Zirwal, late on Thursday, with the balance left with the Sena. The rebels list also attached two resolutions stating that Shinde continues to be the chief of Shiv Sena Legislative Party, and appointed MLA Bharat Gogavale as the new Chief Whip, as the group contended its support has increased today to 41 Sena MLAs, plus a dozen independents and smaller parties today (June 24).

A month later, the Sena has been knocked down and practically washed out, by an unexpected "political cloudburst" that hit the saffron party last Monday (June 20-21) night, with a series of nightmarish developments in quick succession.Ironically, on May 21, the Sena was distressed over the desertion by leaders like Sunil Jakhar and Hardik Patel in quick succession, preceded by Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada.

The move came hours after his emotional appeal to the rebel group of Shiv Sena MLAs, led by Minister Eknath Shinde, that he (Thackeray) was ready to quit both as as CM and as party President, provided the rebels met him and made the demand. Thackeray - who tested Covid-19 positive this morning - also said that he had kept his resignation letter ready and any of the rebels could go and hand it over to the Governor.

In a direct, emotional challenge to the group of rebels led by Minister Eknath Shinde who are presently in Assam, Thackeray lamented the present situation in which he said, "my own (Shiv Sainiks) don't want me as CM". "But why go to Surat or some other places to say this. Shinde could have just come and told me right here. I would have quit immediately," Thackeray said.

Ashok Gehlot recalled the period in 2020 in Rajasthan when a number of Congress lawmakers turned rebels and said that huge amounts of money were distributed but party MLAs stayed loyal. "I am proud to say that the MLAs of Rajasthan stayed with me for 34 days. The offer was to give the first installment of Rs 10 crore as soon as they came out. But even then, no one went out. Even recently, we won all the three seats," he said.