Maharashtra: 2 years, 150 meetings to convince Shiv Sena MLAs

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Health minister Tanaji Sawant said as many as 150 meetings were held to convince Shiv Sena MLAs and topple the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The MVA government fell following the said rebellion. He said meetings were held with deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and CM Eknath Shinde for two years.
Addressing a rally in Dharashiv on Monday night, Sawant said, "Post 2019, we were working to bring change and counsel MLAs. Devendra ji (Fadnavis) and my meetings were taking place, also with CM Eknath Shinde. In those two years, we held 100 to 150 meetings for counselling the MLAs from Marathwada, Vidarbha and western Maharashtra. I was not holding these meetings discreetly. I was holding the meetings openly."
He also claimed that he is the first Sainik from Maharashtra to revolt against the decision of Uddhav to become an alliance partner in MVA.
Sawant said Uddhav didn't give him a cabinet berth in December 2019 under MVA. "Enraged, I started a rebellion. I joined hands with BJP to come to power in Dharashiv Zilla Parishad in January 2020. It was the first rebellion against Shiv Sena becoming an alliance partner in MVA," he said.
"I had warned that forming an alliance with them (Congress-NCP) will be suicidal for Shiv Sena but he did not pay any heed to it. While stepping out of Matoshree, I had pledged that I will not rest till I bring down this government," claimed Sawant.
The rebellion of 40 Sena MLAs in June 2022 led to the resignation by then CM Uddhav Thackeray. Later, the Shinde-led government was formed with the support of BJP.