"We Have Majority": Eknath Shinde Asserts Ahead Of Maharashtra Speaker's Verdict On Disqualification Of Shiv Sena MLAs

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde defended his meeting with Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ahead of the verdict on the disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs on Wednesday (10 January).

Sanjay Raut, leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), had likened this meeting to "match-fixing", responding to which Shinde said, "If it was match-fixing, it (meeting) would have been done secretively."

Shinde clarified that Narwekar met him to discuss some issues of the latter's assembly constituency, "They are seeing defeat," the Maharashtra CM said quoting the Supreme Court's order justifying the Governor's decision.

"I will give an official statement after 4 pm. I just want to say that we have a majority. 67 per cent in Vidhan Sabha and 75 per cent in Lok Sabha. We have 13 MPS and 50 MLAs," Shinde asserted while talking to reporters.

"Based on this majority, the Election Commission has recognised us as the original Shiv Sena and allotted the bow-arrow symbol. We hope that the speaker will pass us on merit...," the Maharashtra CM expressed.

Earlier in the day, Raut alleging "match-fixing" told ANI, "CM knows the decision is going to be in favour of him. The Vidhan Sabha speaker has shown him the decision. This is a disrespect to the constitution."

Today's verdict will decide on the disqualification petitions filed by Shinde and Thackeray factions of Shiv Sena after a rebellion of MLAs led by Shinde which caused the fall of Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state.