SC to decide on floor test, status of 16 MLAs: The Maharashtra political crisis so far

NEW DELHI: The recent Rajya Sabha and MLC elections in Maharashtra dropped hints that perhaps not all is well within the state's ruling alliance.
The BJP won more seats than what one would have expected, stunning the MVA. Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was largely credited as being the architect behind BJP's stellar performance.
What followed was not something the Shiv Sena or MVA had seen coming.A section of the party's MLAs, led by Eknath Shinde declared an open rebellion that has brought the Uddhav Thackeray government on the brink of collapse.
Here's a recap of the Maharashtra political crisis, as it unfolded:
Shinde & loyalist MLAs show up in Surat
Several Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde were reported to have gone incommunicado, before showing up in a Surat hotel on June 21. 11 Shiv Sena MLAs and some Independents were said to be in the group.
It was said that Gujarat's BJP government was providing heavy security to the group, and access to the hotel was restricted for the general public.
From Gujarat to Assam, another BJP-ruled state
A day later, on June 22, Shinde and MLAs accompanying him arrived in Guwahati and checked into the Radisson Blu Hotel. There Shinde made a startling claim that he had the support of not just 11 but 40 MLAs, including Independents.
Rattled Shiv Sena claims coercion, intimidation
By now, the reality had hit home for the Shiv Sena. It alleged that MLAs had been taken out of Mumbai by trickery, coercion and intimidation. Party leaders made repeated claims, without substantiating, that 15-20 of the rebel MLAs are in touch with the Sena leadership. They also expressed confidence that the rebels would vote for the MVA, should a floor test happen.
Rebel ranks continue swell in Guwahati
Reportedly 7 more Sena MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde-led camp after the rebels landed in Guwahati, apart from Independents. Higher education minister Uday Samant became the 8th minister from the Thackeray cabinet to cross over. Shinde claimed support of 39 of Shiv Sena's 56 MLAS.
MLA's letter to CM spells out "grievances" in Sena
The rebels alleged that the MVA partners NCP and Congress were calling the shots in Uddhav's Thackeray's government, while MLAs for the largest constituent, the Shiv Sena, were being cold-shouldered. The chief minister too had become inaccessible to party MLAs, they alleged.
Rebel MLA Sanjay Shirsat in a letter to the CM wrote, "To enter Varsha, we had to plead with people you had surrounded yourself with."
"While we were not allowed entry to Varsha, our true opponents — MLAs and leaders belonging to the NCP and Congress — would face no problems in meeting you," Shirat further said.
Uddhav Thackeray leaves CM's bungalow
On June 22, an embattled Uddhav Thackeray said that he is ready to resign if that is the will of Shivsainiks. Later the same day, Thackeray left the chief minister's bungalow Varsha and moved back to his family home Matoshree.
Sena moves to disqualify 16 Shinde loyalists
The Shiv Sena petitioned the Maharashtra deputy speaker to disqualify 16 rebel MLAs, including Eknath Shinde, purportedly for not attending a party meet. It also wrote to remove Shinde as the legislature party leader.
The notices to the 16 concerned MLAs mandated them to respond within a day.
The deputy speaker also dismissed a no-confidence motion against him, claiming it was sent from an anonymous e-mail.
SC breather for rebels on disqualification notice
The rebels were quick to knock the Supreme Court, which granted them time till July 11 to respond to the deputy speaker's notice on disqualification.
Claim to Balasaheb's legacy
The two camps were also at loggerheads over who are the "real" ideological successors of Balasaheb Thackeray and his brand of "Hindutva."
The rebels announced that their faction would be called Shiv Sena Balasaheb. Uddhav loyalists were quick to hit back, saying the Sena founder's name cannot be used by any other outfit.
The Shiv Sena executive committee on July 25 authorised party chief Uddhav Thackeray to take action against the rebels.
Rebel ministers lose portfolios
CM Uddhav Thackeray on July 27 stripped 9 rebel ministers of their portfolios. The rebellion left Thackeray with only four Shiv Sena ministers in the cabinet, the others being from alliance partners.
However a day later, Thackeray struck a re-conciliatory note and appealed to the dissidents camping in Guwahati to return to Mumbai and talk to him, saying it's not "too late".
Raut's veiled warning to rebels
Firebrand Sena MP Sanjay Raut issued a veiled warning, saying matters are decided not just in court but also on the streets- a tacit reference to the Shiv Sena cadres. He even called them "thieves, sacrificial goats."
Offices of several rebel MLAs were vandalised, prompting the administration to provide additional security to the houses and families of rebel MLAs.
Rallies were also seen in support of Shinde in Thane and other places.
Fadnavis meets Shah, Nadda in Delhi, governor in Mumbai
On June 28, former state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis flew to Delhi where he met home minister Amit shah and BJP chief JP Nadda over the political situation in Maharashtra.
On returning to Mumbai later in the night, he reached the Raj Bhavan straight from the airport to meet governor Koshiyari. Fadnavis urged the governor to direct the government to prove its majority in the wake of the Sena MLAs' rebellion.
Governor orders floor test
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari ordered a floor test of the Thackeray government late on June 28. In a letter to the assembly secretary, he cited 7 Independents who wrote to him, and various media reports about 39 MLAs withdrawing support to the MVA government.
The floor test is to be video-graphed, completed by 5pm, and no adjournments to be made during the special session on June 30, the letter said.
Shiv Sena moves SC
As expected, the Shiv Sena moved Supreme Court seeking a stay on the floor test. The petition cited the status of the 16 MLAs facing disqualification in seeking a stay.