Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena to stay in Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance amid NCP crisis

Maharashtra Political crisis: Amid political chaos within the National Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra, the leaders of the Uddhav Thackrey faction of the Shiv Sena mulled over their participation in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. The sources from the meeting claimed that all the leaders have expressed their will to stay with the alliance.

..." We had a meeting in the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray...we had a discussion on the kind of politics BJP is doing and how we can go forward amid this crisis...talks were also held on Lok Sabha elections, UCC, Uddhav Thackeray's Maharashtra tour...": Sanjay Raut said.

The development comes at a time when Sharad Pawar-led NCP is going through a Shiv Sena-like crisis. Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar has joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra with 8 other MLAs of NCP and is also claiming his control over the party.

Sharad Pawar has reacted sharply to the rebellion and has removed all leaders close to Ajit Pawar from the list of NCP members. The party has also written to the Maharashtra Speaker demanding the disqualification of all rebel MLAs.

Ajit Pawar rebellion déjà vu for Maharashtra  

The rebellion by Ajit Pawar comes exactly a year after Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde decided to walk away from the Maha Vikas Aghadi government with a number of Shiv Sena MLAs. The rebellion led to the fall of Uddhav Thackrey-led MVA government and Eknath Shinde became the new Chief Minister after an alliance with the BJP.

The NCP crisis is expected to reach the courts as both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar are claiming control of the party. After the rebellion, Ajit Pawar called a meeting of all NCP MPs, MLAs, MLCs, District heads, and State delegates on 5 July at MET Bandra. Sharad Pawar has also called a similar meeting on 5 July at YB Chavan Auditorium.

Shockwaves in other states 

The shockwaves of Maharashtra's political crises were also felt in other states with Bihar BJP MP Sushil Modi claiming that a similar situation can also erupt in his state. Sushil Modi said Janata Dal-United (JDU) MPs and MLAs are in contact with BJP and they are concerned about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining hands with Rahul Gandhi and announcing Tejashwi Yadav as his "successor".

"Ever since Nitish Kumar accepted Rahul Gandhi as the leader for the next fight in a way and made Tejashwi Yadav his successor, since then there is a situation of rebellion in JDU. Tejashwi Yadav is not ready and therefore a large number of MPs know that their ticket is going to be cut," he said.