Maharashtra crisis: Extends support to BJP's Fadnavis ahead of floor test

Mumbai, Jun 29: In a fresh development, MNS chief Raj Thackeray is likely to extend support BJP's Devendra Fadnavis amid the worsening situation in Maharashtra.

According to reports, Devendra Fadnavis reached out to Raj Thackray over phone, asking for help in Floor Test scheduled for tomorrow. Thackeray agreed, he said that the party will vote. MNS has one MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly.

The MVA government is battling for survival as 39 out of 55 Shiv Sena MLAs are in the rebel camp. Eknath Shinde also claims the support of 10 independent MLAs. All the rebels have said there is no going back now.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Shinde has claimed the support of 50 MLAs, including 10 independent MLAs.

On the other hand, Uddhav enjoys the support of 4 ministers and 15 MLAs as of now. Going by the numbers, MVA government has a negligible chance of survival.

In a major setback ahead of a crucial floor test, Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena has lost four key votes as NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Ajit Pawar have tested positive for Covid-19 and will be unable to vote.

Two other NCP MLAs Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh are currently imprisoned and hence they cannot vote. They had to skip the Rajya Sabha polling as well.

To survive, MVA might require at least 21 of the rebel Sena camp MLAs to return to the party fold and the support of AIMIM.

Shiv Sena allies NCP has 53 and the Congress (44) in the 288 assembly where the current simple majority mark is 144.

The BJP has 106 MLAs of its own and is backed by one lawmaker each from the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, the Swabhimani Paksh, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksh, the Jan Surajya Party and six independents, taking its tally with allies to 116.