Uddhav asks Sena MLAs to vacate resort, return to constituencies: Sources

As per sources, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in a meeting with his MLAs on Wednesday night has instructed them to return to their respective constituencies. Currently, they are residing in The Retreat Hotel at Madh Island, Mumbai. They were staying together to prevent the BJP’s alleged attempts to poach some legislators - precautions being taken by multiple parties in the fray. Earlier in the day, Uddhav Thackeray met a delegation of Congress leaders to initiate discussions for forging a post-poll alliance in Maharashtra. Also, the joint committee meeting of Congress and NCP leaders to work out details of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) has taken place in the presence of leaders such as Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Nawab Malik, Ashok Chavan, Dhananjay Munde, Vijay Wadettiwar, Prithviraj Chavan, Sushilkumar Shinde and Balasaheb Thorat.  

Read: Sena Calls Video Where Uddhav Didn't Dispute PM On CM Fadnavis 'public Posturing'

‘We will sit together and hold discussions’ 

After the imposition of President’s Rule in Maharashtra on Tuesday, the Sena chief briefed the media that his party would sit along with Congress and NCP to give shape to a CMP. He contended that the 6-month window arising out of the President’s Rule would provide ample time to forge the alliance. Thackeray claimed that he contacted the Congress on Monday for the first time.  

Read: NCP Acknowledges, 'the Way Uddhav Spoke, It Seems Shiv Sena Has Left NDA'

Uddhav Thackeray said, "In this extension of 6 months that we have been provided with, we will sit together and hold discussions on the Common Minimum Programme and take it ahead. The question is, like BJP and Sena share similar ideologies, how will NCP, Congress and Sena, parties that have different ideologies, come together? This is why we needed 48 hours instead, we have now got an extension of 6 months. I contacted the Congress yesterday for the first time and we did not put forth any proposition. I just told that if we want to make a new start, can we come together? And that is why both of them have come together today and they also announced in the press conference that there is scope for all parties to come together." 

Read: Amit Shah Contradicts Uddhav Thackeray, Says 'Sena CM' A New Demand

Read: No Longer A Minister, Arvind Sawant Uncowed On 'Sena CM'; Says 'whoever Uddhav Picks'