Shinde our leader, group of 37 writes to dy Speaker; Sena can quit MVA: Raut

BJP Hand Out In Open, Sena Seeks To Get 12 MLAS Disqualified

- Priyanka Kakodkar, Clara Lewis & Chaitanya Marpakwar

Mumbai: The MVA government led by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray stayed shaky on Thursday as the ranks of the dissidents swelled and 37 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs camping in Guwahati sent a letter to Maharashtra assembly's deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal stating Eknath Shinde will remain their group leader in legislature. Earlier in the day, Zirwal had said he had approved appointment of Ajay Choudhari as group leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party, replacing Shinde.

The Shinde group needs 37 MLAs to circumvent the anti-defection law. The MLAs' letter also stated Bharat Gogavale was appointed the new chief whip of the Sena in the assembly, and "appointment of Sunil Prabhu is cancelled with immediate effect".

Shinde also revealed BJP's support to the coup in a video, in which he told his faction, "A national party has said it will provide whatever help we require." Without naming the party, he said it was a "superpower." The developments came on a day when Sena, in a bid to assuage its breakaway MLAs, said it could even consider quitting the MVA alliance.

We are in touch with rebels, 21 want to return, says Sena

Priyanka Kakodkar & Clara Lewis & Chaitanya Marpakwar

Mumbai: The BJP's central leadership, sources said, will steer the party's moves in Maharashtra on government formation. On Thursday evening, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis left for Delhi to meet Union home minister Amit Shah. "Eknath Shinde has achieved the two-thirds mark required to avoid action under the anti-defection law. We shall soon know what is to be done," sources said.