Facing a revolt within his own party, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was all set to resign on June 22 at 5 pm after it was clear that there was “no way out” of the political crisis facing Maharashtra government but MVA allies convinced him not to resign, news organisation ANI quoted sources as saying.

According to ANI, Uddhav Thackeray was in touch with BJP leaders to find a way out of the political crisis facing the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government that includes the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress apart from Shiv Sena.

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It further said that the Maharashtra CM was scheduled to resign and then go to the memorial of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on June 22 evening but that didn’t happen.

Even Thackeray’s address scheduled at 5 pm was delayed beyond 5.30 pm due to the change in plans, they added.

In his address over Facebook on June 22, Thackeray talked about his willingness to step down if the rebel MLAs come to Mumbai and make such a demand.

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Post his Facedbook address, Thackeray left his official residence ‘Varsha’ along with his family members for the family residence Matoshree.

The Chief Minister said in his address that he was willing to give his resignation to party MLAs who can take it to the Raj Bhavan.

Noting that a section of party MLAs was gunning for his ouster, Thackeray had said instead of going to Surat, they could have conveyed their feelings to him. He also said it is a matter of shame for him if “even a single MLA” is against him.

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The rebel Shiv Sena MLAs moved to Guwahati from Surat and have claimed growing support of Shiv Sena MLAs. Shinde had claimed on Wednesday that he has the support of 46 MLAs, including six to seven Independent MLAs. Shiv Sena has 55 MLAs in the Maharashtra assembly. In the latest jolt to the Uddhav Thackeray camp, Uday Samant joined the rebel group on June 26. He is the eighth minister from Shiv Sena to join the rebel camp.

“I am ready to give my resignation to the MLAs, they should come here and take my resignation to Raj Bhavan. I am ready to leave the post of Shiv Sena party head also, not on the sayings of others but my workers,” he had added.

Thackeray had also referred to the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance and said NCP leader Sharad Pawar and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi helped him a lot and kept their faith in him.

Thackeray said when all three parties came together in 2019, Pawar told him that he had to take the responsibility of the CM post.