With 42 MLAs on display parade in Guwahati, rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde’s real test began on Thursday when his letter to appoint a whip and retain the legislative party leadership was rejected by Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Narhari Zirwal. Both posts are very important because they issue and execute the party orders to be followed on the floor of the house, and the MLAs who don’t follow instructions face disqualification.

Shinde sent the letter signed by 34 MLAs on Wednesday, but one of the MLAs who returned home, Nitin Deshmukh, has told the presiding officer that his signature was forged. Zirwal said he will have to verify all signatures before taking further action, and in the meantime, approved of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s faction’s appointment of Ajay Chaudhari as the Legislative Party leader. Shinde had sent the same letter to the Governor, who is recuperating in a private hospital following COVID-19 symptoms. Shinde has nominated Bharat Gogawale as chief whip while the CM’s group has retained Sunil Prabhu. Shinde tweeted Wednesday night that the CM’s faction’s letter was unconstitutional.