Mumbai: Ahead of his possible resignation, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray started making 'final calls' after his emotional challenge to the rebels the previous evening that he was ready to quit the post (CM) as well as Shiv Sena chief, here on Thursday. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar also insinuated that NCP leaders, MLAs and activists should be prepared for the struggle. Pawar further opined that the CM needs to take a tough stand amid the ongoing political crisis. After the crucial NCP meet that the party President held today, Pawar has made it amply clear that despite the much-speculated downfall of the Shiv Sena government in the state, Thackeray would have Pawar's backing.
Simultaneously, alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state President and Minister Jayant Patil ruled out the possibility of the CM's demitting office and expressed optimism that the political crisis would be defused. On Wednesday evening, Thackeray addressed the state via social media and expressed his readiness to step down from both crucial posts provided the rebels led by Minister Eknath Shinde come to meet him and say they don't want him to continue.
However, Shinde promptly spurned the CM's offer, reiterating his pre-condition that the Shiv Sena must first walk out of its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance government with the NCP and Congress. Hours after that, late on Wednesday, Thackeray and family packed up their bags and left the CM's official residence 'Varsha' at Malabar Hill and returned to the family home, 'Matoshri' in Bandra.
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Prior to that, he also held meetings with NCP President Sharad Pawar and NCP state chief Patil, Congress leaders including state President Nana Patole and central leader Kamal Nath, besides other senior Sena leadership. Thackeray is scheduled to address an online meeting of all top Mantralaya bureaucrats this day ostensibly to express his gratitude for their cooperation and contributions during the 30-month tenure of the MVA regime.
The political suspense continued with Sena MP Sanjay Raut claiming in Mumbai that "around 20 MLAs" from the rebel group were in contact with the party leaders, besides the 15-odd currently in Mumbai. "About 20 MLAs are in touch with us... When they come to Mumbai, you will get to know them. We will reveal soon under what circumstances and pressures these (rebel) MLAs left us," declared Raut.
NCP's Patil expressed hope that the rebels would return to the Sena fold and ensure the continuation of the MVA government for which Thackeray is making all efforts and the other allies are fully helping out. (With agency inputs)
