Uddhav Thackeray

With Thackeray stepping down, speculations are rife that Fadnavis would be called to form the next government, as the rebel camp of Sena has also expressed its intent to ally with the BJP.

Senior members of the Shiv Sena, BJP and others have responded to the sudden turn of events

Governor Bhagat SIngh Koshyari had asked Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority in the assembly on June 30.

The result of the floor test, however, will be subject to the outcome of the apex court's decision in the case involving the disqualification notice issued to 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, the bench said.

Thackeray has been asked by the governor to prove his majority in the state assembly by June 30. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government has moved the Supreme Court to seek a stay, citing the disqualification petitions pending against the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs.

Gulabrao Patil is part of the rebellion launched by senior leader Eknath Shinde last week against the Sena. These legislators have been urging the Sena leadership to snap ties with the NCP and Congress that share power with their party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala took note of submissions of senior advocate A M Singhvi that an urgent hearing was needed in view of the decision taken by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari asking the MVA government to prove majority at 11 am on Thursday.

The petition filed by Shiv Sena chief whip Sunil Prabhu challenges the notice of Maharashtra Governor calling for a floor test in the state assembly on June 30.

The letter comes amid the rebellion in the ruling Shiv Sena by senior minister Eknath Shinde, who has been camping in Guwahati since last week with majority of party legislators and several independent MLAs, which has pushed the government led by Thackeray, who is also the Sena president, into a crisis.

"We have requested the governor to direct the chief minister to immediately prove his majority through floor test," said BJP's Devendra Fadnavis, who is the leader of opposition in the state assembly.

Issues notice to the Maharashtra assembly deputy speaker Narhari Zirwaalso also asks the government to ensure safety of the rebel MLAs and those of their families

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala was told by senior advocate N K Kaul, who appeared for the rebel MLAs, that the Uddhav Thackeray group is in the minority of the legislative party and has been subverting the state machinery.

The Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP says it is a conspiracy to stop him but "even if you behead me, I won't take the Guwahati route. Arrest me"

The Centre on Sunday extended Y-plus security cover of CRPF commandos to at least 15 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, officials earlier said.

Maharashtra Political Crisis Highlights: In a relief to rebel Shiv Sena lawmakers, the Supreme Court on Monday kept in abeyance the disqualification proceedings before the Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly till July 11 and sought responses to pleas by rebel MLAs questioning the legality of notices seeking their disqualification.

Shinde's petition has also challenged appointment of Ajay Choudhari as the Shiv Sena Legislature Party leader and the rejection of no-confidence motion against deputy speaker Narahari Zirwal in the petition. Senior advocate Harish Salve is expected to represent Shinde and his group of rebel MLAs in the court, according to the sources.

On the second day in a row, Shiv Sena cadres staged protests against the dissidents in various parts of the state, including Mumbai and Pune.

Maharashtra Political Crisis Highlights: The political turbulence was triggered after Minister Eknath Shinde flew to Surat and then to Guwahati with some MLAs where he claims of having the support of 38 MLAs of the 55 Shiv Sena legislators.

Shinde, legislator from Koregaon seat, is currently in Guwahati with Eknath Shinde, who is leading a rebellion against Thackeray since June 21, his main demand being that the party withdraw from the MVA, which also comprises the NCP and Congress.

At least 37 Sena MLAs and 10 independent legislators are currently with Shinde in Assam. Shinde has claimed that the group led by him is the "real Shiv Sena".