Three more Shiv Sena MLAs to join Shinde, rebel count rises to 49; Can’t scare us, says Eknath Shinde

MUMBAI: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde has responded to Uddhav Thackeray faction’s letter to the deputy speaker seeking the disqualification of the rebel MLAs. "Who are you trying to scare? We know your fabrication and the law too! According to the 10th schedule to the constitution, the whip is for assembly work, not for meetings. There are numerous Supreme Court decisions in this regard", he wrote on Twitter. "You cannot scare us by saying that action will be taken on 12 MLAs. Because we are the real Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena", he added.

Meanwhile, three more Shiv Sena MLAs are likely to join Shinde’s rebel camp. With this, the rebel Sena number will rise to 49. Shinde has also written a letter to the deputy speaker asking him to elect him as the Shiv Sena leader. A total of 37 Shiv Sena MLAs have signed the letter. Meanwhile, the BJP said that they are ready to provide legal assistance for the MLAs, facing threat of disqualification, in the Supreme Court.

Meantime, NCP president Sharad Pawar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will stand with Uddhav Thackeray. “MVA has a clear majority, the government is firmly in the saddle and Congress is firmly with Uddhav Thackeray. So far as the rebels are concerned, one day or the other, they will have to return to Mumbai to prove majority. They must speak in Mumbai instead of Surat or Guwahati”, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will meet with Amit Shah in Delhi. As per hints from the central leadership, the formation of a BJP-led government is not likely to be delayed. Although Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had mentioned about plans to exit the Congress-NCP alliance, the BJP’s decision is to move ahead vigilantly.