Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Monday reshuffled the portfolios of ministers while rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde stated in his petition before the Supreme Court that the Mahavikas Agadhi government has lost the support of 38 Shiv Sena MLAs and is presently not in majority. The cabinet reshuffle was done so that the issues of public interest are not neglected or ignored, the Chief Minister's Office said on Monday.
Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul appearing for the Eknath Shinde faction pleaded before the Supreme Court that the Deputy Speaker cannot proceed with the disqualification proceedings when the resolution seeking his removal is pending.
The Shinde faction had approached the Supreme Court opposing the disqualification notices issued by Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Jirwal against the 16 dissident legislators. They were instructed to submit a reply within 48 hours and were given a deadline of Monday at 5 p.m.
Rebel MLA Eknath Shinde's petition also challenges the appointment of Ajay Chaudhary as leader of Sena's Legislative Party. The rebel group has also sought protection from the apex court in Maharashtra. The two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, however, asked Shinde why he has not approached the High Court first before coming to the top court.
Also read: Day 6 of Maha imbroglio: Rebel group moves SC, Shinde says 'ready to die for Hindutva'
Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul is representing the Eknath Shinde faction while senior advocate Kapil Sibal is represent the Mahavikas Aghadi government. Earlier, Eknath put out a tweet on Sunday saying, "If we have to die to follow the ideology of Hindutva, we will consider it as our destiny." Shinde has also called a meeting of the dissident MLAs at the Radisson Blu hotel at around 2 pm on Monday.
Meanwhile, Shinde has reportedly spoken to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the phone twice on Sunday. Sources suggest that Shinde spoke to Raj Thackeray about the recent political situation in Maharashtra and also enquired about his health.
It has also been learnt that the Shinde faction has started preparations to bring a no-confidence motion in the Maharashtra assembly. A letter in this regard has also been sent to the Assembly Secretary. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has summoned Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday in a money-laundering probe linked to the re-development of a Mumbai 'chawl'.
