Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has reached the crucial number of 37 party MLAs as one more legislator reached Guwahati today morning, media reports stated.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra is on the brink of collapse as Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde has the support of 37 MLAs, who are currently camping with him in Guwahati. With the magic figure of 37, Shinde is comfortably placed to dodge the anti-defection law and stake claim to form the government with support from the BJP.

Besides these 37 MLAs, Shinde also has the support of nine Independent legislators, who are staying in the same Guwahati hotel. Speaking to News18 on Thursday, Shinde said the rebel camp had the numbers and there was no question of going back on their decision.

The rebel leader also seemed confident that more people would join his camp. “You see people are coming and we will all sit together and decide what to do. Everyone’s opinion will be sought and then we will move forward. It’s not my decision but everybody’s,” he said. Sources also said that Shinde is preparing paperwork to claim the Shiv Sena party symbol.

On Thursday, six MLAs flew to Surat and were later flown to Guwahati in Assam in two chartered flights. Shiv Sena MLC Ravindra Phatak also reached Guwahati from Surat. Phatak was one of the emissaries sent by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday to hold discussions with Shinde and other rebel MLAs in Surat to work out a solution to the crisis.

Phatak along with Shiv Sena MLAs – Dadaji Bhuse and Sanjay Rathod – arrived in Guwahati in a chartered flight from Surat on Thursday night. Bhuse is the agriculture minister in the MVA government.

(With inputs from agencies)