Elections can happen any time, prepared for it: Uddhav Thackeray
What's the story
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that elections in the state could happen at any time now and asserted his party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), was prepared for it. Thackeray's statement came after fellow party leader Sanjay Raut remarked that the current government under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would collapse within 15-20 days.
Context
Why does this story matter?
This came after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar said his party was ready to stake claim to the CM's post instead of waiting for next year's Assembly elections. To recall, Shinde broke away from the erstwhile Shiv Sena last year and joined hands with the BJP to topple the Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government with the NCP and Congress.
Details
Anything can happen anytime after SC verdict: Thackeray
Talking about elections at a rally in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district, Thackeray said, "The matter is in Supreme Court, and we are hoping that the verdict will be in our favor. After that, anything can happen at any time." Earlier, Raut said if not for the delay due to the Supreme Court's judgment regarding Shiv Senas factions, the Shinde-led government would have collapsed in February.
Statement
Will BJP fight under Shinde contesting 48 seats, asks Thackeray
Thackeray said, "State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that Shinde's party will be allotted only 48 seats... Will the BJP fight the election under a person contesting only 48 seats?" Referring indirectly to Shinde and rebel Sena leaders as traitors, he said, "We will see to it that you are finished. We have cleansed the blot on [Maharashtra] created due to the treachery."
Details
Sharad Pawar trashed speculations over Ajit Pawar joining BJP
The Maharashtra Assembly has a total of 288 seats, and the BJP earlier claimed Shine-led Sena would contest in only 48 constituencies. Notably, Shinde was Thackeray's loyal commander until they parted ways, unseating the MVA coalition government. Meanwhile, speculations are rife about a realignment of coalitions. It is rumored Ajit Pawar could switch to the BJP. However, NCP chief Sharad Pawar refuted such reports.