'No Threat To Shinde Government': Ajit Pawar

As a delegation of the Shiv Sena (UBT) handed over a letter seeking expedited action in the disqualification of 16 MLAs of the Shinde camp to Maharashtra's Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has said that the Maharashtra government will not fall even if the Speaker takes the action.

"Even if 16 MLAs are disqualified, the government of Shinde and Fadnavis will not fall. There is no threat to the government," ANI quoted him as saying. He claimed that the government will not lose its majority even if the 16 MLAs are disqualified.

Following the Supreme Court's recent verdict, a delegation of Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday reached Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha and handed over a letter seeking expedited action in the disqualification of 16 MLAs of the Shinde camp.

"Since the Speaker is yet to return from his foreign tour, we submitted the letter to his deputy," Whip of Shiv Sena (UBT) Sunil Prabhu said.

The Shinde-led coalition as 145 MLAs while the overall coalition has 162 MLAs. It means 17 more than the required number to form government in Maharashtra.

The recent verdict by the apex court has given fresh impetus to the Shiv Sena crisis, with former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray calling for an early decision on the disqualification of 16 party MLAs, according to a PTI report.

The Supreme Court also came down heavily on then Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, saying he did not have reasons based on objective material before him to reach the conclusion that Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House.

The court said that relief was due for Thackeray if he had not resigned before facing the floor test.