Maharashtra crisis: Cong upset with Sanjay Raut's 'exit from MVA' remark

Mumbai, Jun 23: Following Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's statement that Shiv Sena is ready to walk out of the MVA government, upset Congress has called for a meeting of its leaders on Thursday.

Sources close to news agency ANI have said that Congress is not happy with Raut's comment and convened a meeting at the Sahyadri guest house in this regard. Senior Congress leaders including HK Patil, Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole and Ashok Chavan are participating in meeting.

Speaking to ANI, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole stated that it is supporting Shiv Sena to keep the BJP out of power. "We're with them (Shiv Sena) to stop BJP from coming to power. This game is happening due to ED...Congress is ready for the floor test. We're with MVA and will remain. If they(Shiv Sena) want to form an alliance with anyone, we don't have a problem," he said.

Raut earlier said that Shiv Sena would consider leaving the MVA if the MLAs are willing. He said, "MLAs should not communicate from Guwahati, they should come back to Mumbai and discuss all this with CM. We are ready to consider exiting out of MVA if this is the will of all MLAs, but for that, they have to come here and discuss it with the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray". Raut further claimed that 21 MLAs in Guwahati have contacted Shiv Sena and when they return to Mumbai they will be with the party.

"Uddhav Thackeray will come back to Varsha very soon. 21 MLAs in Guwahati have contacted us and when they return to Mumbai, they will be with us," he added.

On the other hand, NCP leader Jayant Patil tweeted, "Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is a government established for the development and welfare of Maharashtra. We will stand firmly with Uddhavji Thackeray till the end."

Amid the political crisis in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, three more Shiv Sena MLAs joined the rebel camp led by cabinet minister Eknath Shinde.

Shinde will consult the MLAs with him and then decide when to return to Mumbai.

Shinde had claimed the support of 46 legislators, including some Independents. He had given a letter to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly's deputy speaker, signed by 35 Sena MLAs, replacing Sunil Prabhu with Bharat Gogavale as the chief whip of the Shiv Sena legislature party.