On 30th June rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde took oath as the Mahrashtra Chief Minister at the Raj Bhawan while BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.
This was the culmination of a political whirlwind in Maharasthra that saw the ruling alliance of ‘Maha Vikas Agadi’ fall apart and the resignation of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after Mr. Shinde took 46 of his rebel MLAs with him effectively sealing the fate of the alliance.
Here is a look at the timeline of events from that led to the Maharasthra political crisis.
June 21
1. The crisis began on June 21 after suspected cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections. Soon after, Thackeray called for an urgent meeting of Shiv Sena MLAs. At the meeting, Sena leader Eknath Shinde and 11 MLAs were untraceable.
On the same day, sources in Surat confirmed that over a dozen legislators from Maharashtra were lodged at the Le Meridien hotel.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena removed Shinde from the post of legislature party leader. Senior party MLA Ajay Choudhary was appointed to the post.
June 22.
2. Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Sitaram Zirwal (of NCP, one of the partners in Maha Vikas Aghadi government) accepted Shiv Sena’s recommendation for changing the legislature party leader.
A day after moving to Surat, rebel Sena MLAs flew out to Guwahati. Sena ministers such as Shambhuraje Desai, Abdul Sattar, Sandipan Bhumre, and Bachu Kadu of Sena ally Prahar Janshakti Party landed in Guwahati along with other rebel MLAs in a chartered flight. On arrival, Eknath Shinde claimed he had the support of 40 MLAs, more than the number required to back the anti-defection law.
As the crisis grew, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the public and said he was ready to quit as CM and Sena chief if the rebel MLAs came forward and demanded so. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad met Uddhav Thackeray, reportedly ensuring him support.
Late in the day, reports came that four more MLAs had arrived at the Guwahati hotel to join the ‘Shinde Sena’.
Another chartered plane with four MLAs from Maharashtra arrived in Guwahati.
3. June 23
As more Shiv Sena MLAs joined Shinde’s faction, it came to be known as the ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.
On June 23 morning, Deepak Kesakar (MLA from Sawantwadi), Mangesh Kudalkar (Chembur) and Sada Sarvankar (Dadar) reached Guwahati, plunging the MVA government into further turmoil. All rebel MLAs appeared together in a video for the first time in a show of strength.
Eknath Shinde, while addressing rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, said one national party, which is a “super power,” had lauded his decision. A statement that he later clarified was a reference to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
4. June 24.
On day 4, Eknath Shinde and the BJP denied the latter’s involvement in the rebellion even as Shiv Sena demanded the disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs. The request was submitted to the Deputy Speaker. In response, two independent MLAs decided to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Deputy Speaker.
5. June 25
The crisis eventually spilled onto the streets as Shiv Sainiks (party workers) vandalised the offices of some rebel MLAs and raised slogans in support of Uddhav Thackeray. Rebel MLA Tanaji Sawant’s office was vandalised in Pune.
Eknath Shinde’s son and MP Shrikant Shinde’s office were vandalised in Thane. An order was issued to all police stations to tighten security as tensions flared up.
The Deputy Speaker then issued notices to 16 rebel MLAs, seeking answers about their absence at a legislative meeting called by Shiv Sena.
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6. June 26
Shinde moved the Supreme Court to dispute the rejection of the no-confidence vote against the Deputy Speaker. Meanwhile, Governor Koshyari, who was down with Covid, recovered and reached Raj Bhavan.
On the same day, minister Uday Samanth, considered a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, joined the Shinde group.
7. June 27
By now , the political battle had reached the Supreme Court. The top court granted interim relief to Eknath Shinde and his rebel group of MLAs by extending the time to file a response to the disqualification notice sent by the Deputy Speaker till July 12.
Meanwhile, sources said that Uddhav Thackeray wanted to resign twice but was convinced against it by Sharad Pawar.
On the same day, Uddhav Thackeray took away the charge of nine rebel ministers and handed it over to other ministers in his cabinet.
8. June 28
“You are still with Shiv Sena from the heart,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in an emotional appeal to rebel MLAs camped in Assam’s Guwahati.
Meanwhile, Bharatriya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and handed him a letter seeking a floor test in the state Assembly.
Following the appeal by the BJP, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari issued directions to the government to prove its majority in the state Assembly on Thursday (June 30).
9. June 29
The Supreme Court refused to stay the Maharashtra Governor’s direction to the MVA government to take a floor test in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra MLAs, led by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, checked out of the luxury hotel in Guwahati. After offering prayers at Kamakhya temple, Shinde claimed to have the support of nearly 50 MLAs, including independents.
Uddhav Thackeray chaired a cabinet meeting and gave the nod to rename Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar .
The rebel faction of Shiv Sena arrived in Goa amid heavy security cover, minutes after Uddhav Thackeray announced his resignation as Chief Minister of Maharashtra Wednesday evening June 30.
10. June 30
Eknath Shinde will be the new chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis announced at a press conference. The rebel Shiv Sena MLA was sworn in at 7:30 pm on June 30.