Maharashtra: Trouble For MVA Govt? 'Out Of Reach' Eknath Shinde To Address Media At Noon

This development has come as a major jolt for Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra as around 20 MLAs are suspected to have cross-voted.

New Delhi: In a clear indication of rebellion, Maharashtra Urban Development Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has gone incommunicado since the legislative council elections on Monday. Shinde, according to sources, is said to be holed up in a five-star hotel in Gujarat’s Surat city along with 25 Shiv Sena MLAs. Shinde, who is reportedly upset amid allegations of cross-voting, is likely to address the media at noon.

This development has come as a major jolt for Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra as around 20 MLAs are suspected to have cross-voted.

Thackeray has convened an urgent meeting of all the party MLAs on Tuesday afternoon. All the MLAs, as per sources, have strictly been asked to be present in the meeting to be held at the Chief Minister’s official residence.

Commenting on the development, Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narayan Rane said “no comments should be made on such things”, adding “else what is the point of being unreachable”, news agency Asian News International (ANI) reported.

Rane also took potshots at the Congress stating “they don't have leadership”.

“Their so-called leaders are good for nothing, neither in the country nor in Maharashtra. The Congress is in shrinking mode. They just talk but there is no action because they don't have any hold over their MLAs. The Congress has lost this legislative council election,” he added.

The BJP won five seats in the Maharashtra legislative council election, while the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged two seats each.