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Maharashtra rebel Shinde's faction grows stronger. 'In touch with 20 MLAs'- Sena
Maharashtra political crisis: The Shiv Sena has a total of 55 MLAs in the state assembly and Eknath Shinde is trying to gather support of a majority of legislators.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday asserted that his party was in touch with 20 MLAs of the breakaway faction amid rebel Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde's rigorous efforts to gather support from more legislators and bolster his coup attempt against chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. Thirty-five Sena MLAs are said to be with Shinde currently apart from some independent legislators.
Of the 42 MLAs with the rebel leader, according to news agency ANI, eight are independent. He needs the support of 37 of 55 Sena legislators to chase the goal of splitting the party and avoid action under an anti-defection law.
Meanwhile, Sena's Raut downplayed the coup attempt. "I won't talk about any camp, I will talk about my party. Our party is strong even to this day...About 20 MLAs are in touch with us...when they come to Mumbai, you will get to know...will soon be revealed, in what circumstances, pressure these MLAs left us," he told reporters.
Ever since he has left Maharashtra, Shinde, who was earlier a lieutenant of Uddhav Thackeray, has been saying he is a follower of Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray.
But Raut on Thursday morning lambasted the statements. "He who leaves the party under the Enforcement Directorate's pressure is not a true Balasaheb bhakt. We're true Balasaheb bhakts...even we've the ED pressure but will continue to stand with Uddhav Thackeray...When floor test happens everyone will see who's positive and who is negative."
"Those who left are not Shiv Sainiks, the real Shiv Sena is what we saw on the streets of Mumbai yesterday. Our party is strong. Some MLAs leaving us does not mean that organisation is weak. Around 17- 18 are in custody of the Bharatiya Janata Party," he asserted.
Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday - in an emotional address - asserted that he was ready to quit if told. A huge crowd of supporters gathered as he left his official residence for Matoshree. Earlier in the day, it was revealed that he had tested positive for Covid.
Shinde renewed attack on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government over Sena's “unnatural front” with the NCP and the Congress.
(With inputs from ANI)
