Mumbai, November 4
The Shiv Sena in Maharashtra received a major setback today with three of its MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly resigning their seats.
Tendering their resignation to Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar, the three MLAs expressed support to dissident Shiv Sena leader-turned Congress minister Narayan Rane.
The MLAs — Subhash Bane, Shankar Kambli and Ganpat Kadam — are from the Konkan region and had won past elections with the support of Mr Rane.
Speaking to the media here, Mr Rane, who is Revenue Minister in the Maharashtra Government, said seven more MLAs from the Shiv Sena would quit their seats and join the Congress under his leadership.
With the seven resignations expected in the coming days, the Shiv Sena’s tally is expected to fall below that of the BJP.
It is also expected to concede the post of the Leader of the Opposition to the BJP when the state legislature convenes for the winter session at Nagpur.
The Shiv Sena’s Ramdas Kadam is now the Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature.
While Mr Bane was elected from the Sangameshwar Assembly seat, Mr Kambli and Mr Kadam represent the Vengurla and Rajapur Assembly constituencies, respectively.
Mr Rane, who quit the Shiv Sena earlier this year, is contesting afresh on the ticket from the Congress. Elections to his Malvan Assembly seat is to be held on November 19.
Mr Rane said the MLAs who quit the Shiv Sena would have to win their seats in order to be inducted into the Cabinet.
