Eknath Shinde, several MLAs untraceable after MLC polls

Mumbai, Jun 21: Maharashtra Minister and key Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde along with 10-12 MLAs, have been reportedly untraceable since Monday's legislative council elections, triggering rumors of a rebellion within the party. Reportedly, the 'missing' Shiv Sena MLAs are believed to be holed up in a hotel in Surat with Shinde.

The development could rattle the MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, as some Sena MLAs are believed to be in touch with Shinde.

A party leader said Shinde may be in Gujarat along with some MLAs. The leader did not divulge the number of MLAs who could be with Shinde and their details.

Shinde wields influence in some of the satellite cities of Mumbai.

"He (Shinde) was at the Shiv Sena office in the Legislative Assembly premises on Monday when Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was present there. But, no one knows about him after that. He was not present during the counting (for MLC polls)," the leader said.

The opposition BJP on Monday won all five seats it contested in the state Legislative Council elections for 10 seats, while Congress candidate and Dalit leader Chandrakant Handore lost, in another setback for the MVA after the Rajya Sabha polls earlier this month.

Two candidates each of the Shiv Sena and NCP won, while the Congress managed to bag just one seat.

Ten Council seats were up for grabs and 11 candidates were in the fray for the elections, which came days after the Rajya Sabha polls, which saw the BJP handing an embarrassing defeat to the Shiv Sena-led ruling coalition.