A huge protest erupted on Thursday afternoon outside the hotel in Assam's Guwahati where rebel Maharashtra leader Eknath Shinde has been camping with oher MLAs who are said to be supporting his coup against chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The protest was led by Trinamool's Assam unit chief Ripun Bora, news agency ANI reported. Many other workers were seen raising slogans in the clip.
The stir broke out as Shinde spends day 2 in the BJP-ruled state along with other legislators who are backing his rebellion. On Wednesday, he had said that he has support of over 46 lawmakers of the state assembly. Three more MLAs were reported to have reached the hotel in the northeastern state on Thursday morning, joining the breakaway faction.
Shinde needs support of at least 37 of 55 Sena MLAs to split the party and avoid any action under the anti-defection law. While reports suggest 34 MLAs of the party and some independents are already in the hotel, it's yet to be seen if he would be able to pull through his coup.
{{/usCountry}}Shinde needs support of at least 37 of 55 Sena MLAs to split the party and avoid any action under the anti-defection law. While reports suggest 34 MLAs of the party and some independents are already in the hotel, it's yet to be seen if he would be able to pull through his coup.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, it was seen as highly unusual for the Trinamool Congress to have organised a stir at a time Uddhav Thackeray was dealing with one of the biggest political challenges of his political career.
Mamata Banerjee, in the past, has held meetings Uddhav amid the opposition's attempts to form a front against the BJP ahead of the 2024 national elections.
Chaos erupted as many other opposition leaders have been voicing concern over the crisis in Maharashtra. The Sena has alleged the BJP had been making attempts to ensure the collapse of the government. However, Sena's Sanjay Raut had also asserted that Uddhav Thackery won't resign.