Rebel Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, along with some Sena MLAs, is camping in Gujarat's Surat city. Speculation is rife that the minister felt neglected in the functioning of the party and the government, and also had a fallout with a senior party leader. The major jolt to the Maharashtra government came a day after the ruling Maha Vikas Agahdi (MVA) coalition suffered a setback in the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) poll.

In the MLC polls, the Sena-led MVA, which also comprises the NCP and Congress, lost one out of the six seats it contested. The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress had nominated two candidates each for 10 seats, but Congress's Dalit leader Chandrakant Handore lost the poll. The BJP won all the five seats it contested. It was alleged that cross-voting was done during the elections.

Amid the political upheaval, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has offered to resign from the post. However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said he has complete faith that there will be a way out of this crisis and that there is no need for change in the government. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has decided to remove Eknath Shinde as its Legislative party leader. Sewri MLA Ajay Chaudhary is likely to be the new Shiv Sena Legislative Party leader, ANI sources said.

As the political drama unfolded in Maharashtra on Tuesday, here's a look at what leaders said while reacting to the crisis:

Eknath Shinde said in a tweet that he will never "cheat for power" and abandon the teachings of Bal Thackeray.

आम्ही बाळासाहेबांचे कट्टर शिवसैनिक आहोत... बाळासाहेबांनी आम्हाला हिंदुत्वाची शिकवण दिली आहे.. बाळासाहेबांचे विचार आणि धर्मवीर आनंद दिघे साहेबांची शिकवण यांच्याबाबत आम्ही सत्तेसाठी कधीही प्रतारणा केली नाही आणि करणार नाही

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) June 21, 2022In a press conference on Tuesday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar alleged that a third attempt is being made to pull down the MVA government in Maharashtra but expressed confidence that chief minister Udhhav Thackeray will be able to handle the situation. He said

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said, "We have nothing to do with (Shinde's) move. If the BJP receives any proposal from Eknath Shinde to form the government, we would definitely consider it seriously."

It's too early to say anything, we're currently waiting & keeping an eye on the situation. Nor Eknath Shinde has sent proposal to BJP for govt formation neither BJP has sent any proposal to him: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Eknath Shinde & Shiv Sena MLAs pic.twitter.com/LfvYZGOelp

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022

Union minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane said he is "openly in support of Eknath Shinde".

शाब्बास एकनाथजी योग्य वेळी योग्य निर्णय घेतलास, नाही तर लवकरच तुझा आनंद दिघे झाला असता.

— Narayan Rane (@MeNarayanRane) June 21, 2022

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, "Shinde is a trusted Shiv Sainik. The Shiv Sena is a party of loyalists and not those who fall to the lust of power and positions."

Reassurance comes from Congress leaders Deepender Hooda and Sachin Pilot.

I think the govt is stable in Maharashtra, nothing to worry. Maharashtra govt will complete its full course: Congress's Sachin Pilot on brewing political trouble in Maharashtra after Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and some others went unreachable, earlier today pic.twitter.com/50zKIgGInM

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022

Union Minister Bhagwat Karad said he has not met any of the MLAs camping in Surat

Gandhinagar | I came to know in the morning that some MLAs have come to Surat. I've not met any of them but the way BJP got votes in Rajya Sabha and MLC polls shows that MLAs (of Maha Vikas Aghadi) are upset: Union Minister Bhagwat Karad on Maharashtra political situation pic.twitter.com/3OWIL1Nuwc

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022

Also Read: Maharashtra political crisis live updates: Eknath Shinde, 25 Shiv Sena MLAs turn rebel; parleys on in both camps

(With PTI inputs)

(Edited by : Akriti Anand)

First Published:Jun 21, 2022 4:43 PM IST