Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde , Devendra Fadnavis Call On Prime Minister Narendra Modi ; SC Hearing On Shinde ,15 MLA’s Disqualification On July 11

Picture : Twitter/ ANI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, their first meeting after the new government assumed office in the state.

Shinde and Fadnavis met the prime minister at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence and sought his “blessings and guidance” for development of Maharashtra.

“The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Eknath Shinde and the Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Prime Minister’s Office said on Twitter.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, Shinde said he would try and understand the prime minister’s vision for the development of the state and strive to take Maharashtra to newer heights.

The visit of Shinde and Fadnavis to the national capital comes ahead of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on July 11 on a petition filed by the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena seeking disqualification of Shinde and 15 MLAs of his faction. We have faith in the judiciary, Shinde told reporters in the national capital, asserting the group led by him had the support of two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MLAs. The Shiv Sena had 55 MLAs before the split triggered by Shinde’s revolt. Nearly 40 Shiv Sena MLAs had backed Shinde, who also enjoys support of independents and MLAs from smaller outfits.