Guwahati : Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde claims support of 41 MLAs

Guwahati . The political crisis for the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra deepened on Thursday with Eknath Shinde releasing videos and photographs claiming that he has the support of 41 MLAs. However, a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity that with the arrival of some more MLAs in Guwahati on Thursday, the number of dissident MLAs camping at the Radisson Blu Hotel rose to 44. Including independents and others.

The rebel MLAs released videos and photos claiming the support of over 40 MLAs, posing a potential threat to the Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition government in Maharashtra.According to the videos and photographs released by the disgruntled MLAs, Shinde is seen posing with the MLAs at the hotel.

Dressed in full white, Shinde can be seen surrounded by his fellow MLAs. Shinde Pass is the department of Urban Development and Public Works in Maharashtra.As a large contingent of Assam Police personnel led by senior officers surrounded the resort, no journalist is allowed within 200 meters of the hotel.

State BJP leaders and hotel staff have remained silent on what is going on inside.A source close to the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs said that two to three more disgruntled MLAs reached the Guwahati hotel on Thursday.

In another development, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited Radisson Blu on Thursday. However, Sangma, who is the president of the National People’s Party, which is a constituent of the NDA, clarified that he had gone to have lunch at the hotel as it is located on the way from Guwahati to Shillong.