After SC go-ahead for floor test, Uddhav quits as Maharashtra Chief Minister

Uddhav Thackeray stepped down as Maharashtra Chief Minister late Wednesday night after the Supreme Court refused to stay the Governor’s direction for a floor test in the Assembly on Thursday.

Meanwhile, reports said senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis may take over as the Chief Minister again though there has not been any confirmation about the same.

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Stating that he was not interested “in playing the numbers game,”, an emotional Uddhav said: “I am also quitting as member of Legislative Council.”

Thackeray’s dramatic announcement came minutes after the Supreme Court refused to stay Maharashtra Governor’s direction to the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Maha Vikas Aghadi government to take a floor test in the Assembly on Thursday.

He had no regret leaving his post, Thackeray, who was facing a rebellion by the majority of Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde, said.

Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena, appealed to Sena workers to allow the rebel legislators to return and not take to the streets in protest.

“I don’t want to get into the numbers game. It would be shameful for me to see if even one of my own party colleagues stands against me,” he said.

He said security has been tightened in Mumbai and Shiv Sainiks have been detained.

He also thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar for their cooperation and support while running the MVA government.

“Congress leader Ashok Chavan told me that if the rebels want, Congress would get out of the government and extend outside support. Those who were expected to ditch me, stood by me while my own left me,” he said.

Referring to the rebels, he said, “What were your problems? Instead of going to Surat and Guwahati, you could have come to me directly and expressed your views.”

“Shiv Sena is a party of common man and has faced several challenges successfully, Uddhav Thackeray said, adding he would rebuild the party.

“I thank Shiv Sainiks for standing by me. Those who grew politically because of Shiv Sena were disgruntled, while those who did not get anything were loyal,” he said.

It’s nothing, but karma, says BJP

BJP leaders invoked karma and the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray as they took a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray.

“Karma does not spare anyone,” BJP general secretary C T Ravi, who is in charge of his party’s affairs in the state, said.

“Balasaheb Thackeray was a man who could control governments, despite not being in power. On the other hand, his son couldn’t even control his party, despite being in power. What a fall from grace,” BJP’s IT department in-charge Amit Malviya said.

(With Agency inputs)

Also read: The discontent with Uddhav that drove Shinde and others to rebel

Also read: Read about Eknath Shinde, the ‘rebel’ Sena strongman

Also read: As Eknath Shinde postures, how do the numbers add up for Uddhav?