Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on July 14 claimed there is no government existing in Maharashtra at present as the Eknath Shinde-led dispensation is "illegal", and asked where Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari is when rains are wreaking havoc in the State.
Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Raut said cholera has broken out in many parts of the State that has resulted in deaths. "Maharashtra is again under a lockdown. Nearly 100 people have died due to floods," he said.
According to the State government figures, 83 people have died due to rain-related incidents between June 1 and July 10. These deaths were caused by incidents such as floods, lightning strikes, landslides, falling of trees and collapse of structures, among others, the State disaster management authority had said in a report.
On Wednesday, the State Health Department said 181 people have been infected with cholera, of whom five have died. "In such a situation, no government exists in the State. There is no government in the State because this is an illegal government," Mr. Raut said. "Where is our governor now? There is no government in the State, there is no Cabinet," he said.
The Shiv Sena insists that the new government has been illegally sworn in as the disqualification pleas of Mr. Shinde and the 39 rebel Sena MLAs are pending before the Supreme Court.
The 40 MLAs had rebelled against the party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the last week of June. "Floods are wreaking havoc in the State. Where is the Governor? He was guiding us till yesterday. Now where is he? His guidance is now needed for the State," Mr. Raut said.
“The Rajya Sabha member said many Sena MLAs, who have switched side, could be disqualified. The sword of disqualification is hanging over the rebel legislators,” he said.
The Cabinet expansion has not taken place so far as the Supreme Court is yet to decide on the disqualification pleas of the MLAs filed by the party, the Sena MP added. "Administering oath to (rebel) MLAs is not according to the Constitution. This is political corruption. The Governor should not do anything against the Constitution," he said.
