Shiv Sena rebels led by MLA Eknath Shinde, who were scheduled to go from Guwahati to Goa today as Uddhav Thackeray was required to demonstrate a majority in the Maharashtra legislature, have instead returned to their accommodation after visiting the Kamakhya temple. This is a last-minute change of plans. According to sources, the rebel group will decide after the Supreme Court session this evening. A chartered aircraft is waiting in the wings.
"Tomorrow, we will arrive in Mumbai. We have 50 MLAs with us. A two-thirds majority is in place. No floor testing are a concern for us. No one can stop us; we shall overcome all obstacles. In a democracy, the majority rule applies, and we do "In Guwahati, Eknath Shinde stated.
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, where the rebel camp has been resting for the past week, was accessed by buses that were waiting outside this morning. Security was tightened as the rebel MLAs were transported to the temple. According to sources, they would probably take a chartered SpiceJet flight to the coastal state later today evening. The renegade Maharashtra MLAs were taken to the Kamakhya temple by the Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika and other state BJP leaders.
They might lodge at the Taj Resort & Convention Center in Goa, where apparently 70 rooms have been reserved.
Goa will be an easy stopover for the MLAs who must turn up for the special Maharashtra assembly session tomorrow morning where Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray faces a crucial test to demonstrate his majority because it is a BJP-ruled state and is closer to Mumbai.
Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister of Maharashtra, has been tasked with demonstrating a majority tomorrow. A special session will start at 11 a.m., according to a letter from the governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, to the assembly secretary, Rajendra Bhagwat.