Uddhav Thackeray Resigns as Maharashtra CM After Supreme Court Ruling

Political Turmoil in Maharashtra as Shiv Sena Loses Majority

Internal Conflicts and Coalition Challenges Lead to Thackeray's Resignation

In a major political development, Uddhav Thackeray has resigned as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after the Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of 16 rebel Shiv Sena MLAs. The ruling plunged the state government into a crisis, as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress, lost its majority in the state assembly.

The political turmoil in Maharashtra began in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde, a senior Shiv Sena leader, led a rebellion against Thackeray's leadership. Shinde and his supporters demanded a reconciliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had been their ally until 2019. Thackeray refused to merge with the BJP, leading to a split within the Shiv Sena.

The rebel MLAs, who were later recognized as a separate faction of the Shiv Sena by the Election Commission of India, approached the Supreme Court challenging their disqualification by the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly. The apex court upheld the disqualification, weakening Thackeray's position further.

With the loss of majority, Thackeray was left with no option but to resign. He submitted his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who has invited the BJP, the single largest party in the state, to form the government. The BJP is expected to stake claim with the support of the rebel Shiv Sena faction, which has expressed its willingness to join forces.

The political crisis in Maharashtra has raised questions about the stability of the MVA coalition, which was formed after the 2019 state assembly elections. The Congress and NCP have expressed their support for Thackeray, but it remains to be seen whether they will continue to be part of the government without the Shiv Sena.

The BJP's return to power in Maharashtra is a significant development as it strengthens the party's position in the state, which is home to India's financial capital Mumbai. The BJP is now in control of 12 states, including some of the most populous and economically important ones.

The political turmoil in Maharashtra is a reminder of the fluid nature of Indian politics, where alliances and partnerships can shift rapidly. It also highlights the challenges faced by coalition governments, which are often prone to internal conflicts and power struggles.