Mumbai (Maharasthra): Claiming to be in touch with 20 MLAs from the Eknath Shinde camp in Guwahati, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that everyone will see when the floor test happens, adding that those who leave the party under pressure from ED are not a real follower of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Amid political instability in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, Raut further claimed that the party is still strong and that the rebels are not true "bhakts" (devotees) of Bal Thackeray. He said that just because a few MLAs leave it does not prove that the government is destroyed. He referred to Uddhav Thackrey's move back to Matoshree, his family residence from his official residence Varsha to that of a lion's.
Taking a dig at Eknath Shinde, Raut said, "We are with Balasaheb Thackeray and work and under Uddhav Thackeray, just because one says statements like I support Balasaheb Thackeray and I follow Balasaheb Thackeray, it does not prove that they are a real follower of Balasaheb; they fear the ED".
"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 them. It will soon be revealed, in what circumstances and pressure these MLAs have left us," said Raut.
He said that party leader Nitin Deshmukh, who returned to Nagpur from Surat on Wednesday and alleged abduction attempts, will hold a press conference. "The CM won't hold any meeting today because some MLAs are going to Varsha Bungalow for official work instead Nitin Deshmukh will hold a press conference," said Raut.
He further slammed Eknath Shinde for leaving the party under Enforcement Directorate (ED) pressure and said that they continue to stand with Uddhav Thackeray. "He who leaves the party under ED pressure is not a true Balasaheb Bhakt. We're true Balasaheb Bhakts...even though we have pressure from ED we will continue to stand with Uddhav Thackeray".
Also read: MVA crisis: Dissolution chances loom as leaders offer perspectives
The Shiv Sena MP further said, "17 to 18 MLAs have been detained by BJP party, in BJP states". Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday held a party meeting amid political instability in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra.
Notably, a total of 42 Maharashtra MLAs are present with Eknath Shinde at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, Assam. This includes 34 MLAs from Shiv Sena and eight Independent MLAs, informed sources. Seven more MLAs have joined the rebel group of MLAs led by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde in Guwahati on Thursday morning further deepening the political instability in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
They reached the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, where other MLAs are campaigning. Last night four more MLAs joined Shinde in Guwahati. Moreover, a resolution passed by the Shiv Sena Legislature Party carrying signatures of 34 MLAs shows that rebel leader Eknath Shinde continues to be the leader, and has been sent to the state Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Shiv Sena workers and supporters showered petals and raised slogans in support of Thackeray when he left with his family from his official residence 'Varsha Bungalow', last night amid political instability in the state. Following the political crisis, Shiv Sena has removed Eknath Shinde as the party's legislative party leader. However, the rebels have hit back with a resolution.
The resolution said that Shiv Sena's ideology has been compromised in the past two years. They also expressed their dissatisfaction with "corruption in government," referring to Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik, who are currently in jail. "Bharat Gogawale has been appointed as the Chief Whip of Shiv Sena Legislative Party. So, the order issued by Sunil Prabhu, regarding the Legislative Party meeting this evening is illegal," Eknath Shinde had said.
Earlier, Thackeray addressed the people of the state via Facebook and said he was willing to give his resignation to party MLAs, and they can take it to Raj Bhavan. Noting that a section of party MLAs was gunning for his ouster, he said instead of going to Surat, they could have conveyed their feelings to him. Thackeray said it is a matter of shame for him if "even a single MLA" was against him.
"If any MLA does not want me to continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the CM) to Matoshri," Thackeray said. "I am ready to give my resignation to the MLAs, they should come here and take my resignation to Raj Bhavan. I am ready to leave the post of Shiv Sena party head also, not on the saying of others but my workers," he added. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed confidence in Shiv Sena sailing through the crisis.
However, the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs have said that there is enormous discontent amongst the party workers for forming the government with NCP and Indian National Congress on account of different ideologies. (ANI)
