Attacking MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar for spreading rumours of a possible mass exodus from the Shiv Sena, Sena party president Uddhav Thackeray said that he would publicly felicitate Nandgaonkar even if one Sainik joined the MNS.

In an interview to the Sena mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray said, “Shiv Sena is going strong. Sainiks are rigid on their stand and there is no ill will in the party. We will walk on the path that Bal Thackeray has laid for us. Lawlessness will not be tolerated.”

Nandgaonkar had earlier said that 40 senior leaders from the Sena were in touch with him. Reacting to his remark, Thackeray said, “Please take all those who want to go with you.”

Targeting the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress for attempting to create a rift in the Sena, he said, “Unfortunately this [their attempts] will backfire… A change of guard is imminent in Maharashtra,” he said.