Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday claimed Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has been asked to resign to pave way for Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar currently shares the Maharashtra deputy CM post with BJP's Devendra Fadnavis in the government led by Shinde.
"I have heard that Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) has been asked to resign and there might be some change (in the government)," Aaditya Thackeray has reportedly said.
His comments come at a time when the speculations are rife that BJP is side-lining Shinde group after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) rebel leader Ajit Pawar and his followers joined the government.
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Earlier, a senior leader in Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed that around 20 MLAs from Shinde's group were in touch with his party since NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the state government.
"Since Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the government, 17-18 MLAs from the Shinde camp have contacted us," Sanjay Raut had earlier claimed
Shinde, however, has rebutted the speculations saying that he has no plans of stepping down and there is no revolt in the Shiv Sena over the NCP rebels.
"We are not resignation givers but takers. His leadership is to take everyone along and be patient. Yesterday, all the MLAs, MPs have reposed faith in Eknath Shinde... all this (reports of discontent) is being done to malign Eknath Shinde," Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant had said.
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He added Ajit Pawar's move had cleared them of "gaddar" (traitor) and "khoke" (crore) taunts, referring to jibes that have beset the rebel camp them since they switched sides.
"Now it is clear that Ajit Pawar joining us means that last time, the last coalition (Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress) was not working well," Samant had said.
