15-20 Rebel MLAs In Touch With Shiv Sena, Want To Come Back: Aaditya Thackeray

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday said that 15 to 20 of the ‘rebel’ MLAs are in touch with Shiv Sena.

He also insisted that the tri-party government would not fall, even as reports suggest more MLAs intend to move to the rebel camp in Guwahati.

“Around 15-20 (rebel) MLAs are in touch with us. They called me and Shiv Sainiks and urged us to bring them back from Guwahati. Their condition is like prisoners first in Surat and then in Guwahati,” Thackeray said.

While opposition leaders as well as the Eknath Shinde-led rebel camp have accused Shiv Sena leaders of colluding with Congress and NCP to bring down the party, the tourism and environment minister insisted that it had been the party’s own people that betrayed them.

“Many MLAs who were watchmen, rickshaw pullers and paan shopkeepers – we made them ministers. On May 20, Uddhav Thackeray offered him (Eknath Shinde) the CM post and he did drama. These MLAs have sold themselves for lakhs and crores or after their files were opened,” he alleged.

“They (rebel MLAs) went to Guwahati where there’s a flood situation and many people are without shelter and food. They (rebel MLAs) are enjoying themselves there. Bill for meals (for them) in one day is Rs 9 Lakhs, they are taking private choppers and enjoying there. Shame on them,” he added.

Both the Shiv Sena and the rebel group have been seeking to outmanoeuvre each other. While the Thackeray group removed Shinde as leader of the legislative party and appointed a new chief whip, supporters of Shinde wrote to the state government that he continues to be the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature group. They also appointed a chief whip.

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