Two more MLAs reach Guwahati, Shinde faction touches 37 mark; we are the real Shiv Sainiks, says Shinde

GUWAHATI: Two more Shiv Sena legislators arrived at a Guwahati hotel where the rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde are lodged on Thursday. This brings the total number of MLAs in the Shinde camp to 44.

The latest MLAs to arrive at the Shinde camp are Agriculture Minister Dada Bhuse and MLA Sanjay Rathore. MLC Ravindra Phatak also arrived at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Guwahati on Thursday.

It is learnt that the Shinde faction has touched the 37 mark which is more than two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MLAs. With this, the crisis in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance has worsened.

Meanwhile, Shinde tweeted that they are the real Shiv Sena. "You cannot scare us by giving the names of 12 MLAs for disqualification because we are followers of the Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. We know the law, so we do not pay heed to threats,” Shinde tweeted.

Earlier on Thursday, Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the party will consider exiting the NCP-Congress alliance. “You say you are real Shiv Sainiks and will not quit the party. We are ready to consider your demand provided you come back to Mumbai in 24 hours and discuss the issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Your demand will be considered positively. Don't write letters on Twitter and WhatsApp," Raut said.

Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi Alliance (MVA) will stand firm with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. He also said that the front will prove its majority in the Assembly. Pawar added that the political situation in Maharashtra will change once the rebel MLAs return to Mumbai.