Fighting to save Sena from MVA’s crocodile grip: Eknath Shinde

MUMBAI: Attempting to tighten the screws as reports emerged on Saturday that Shiv Sena’s rebel MLAs may have to merge with another party to escape anti-defection laws, Sena MP Sanjay Raut tweeted after the party resolution, “If they want to ask for votes it should be in their father’s name, not in our father’s name.”
Raut also said in a TV interview that Shinde’s revolt was motivated by his desire for the CM’s post. Ironically, he was the party’s pick had BJP kept its word to share the post with the Sena in 2019, Raut said.

In response to the Sena’s escalating attack, Shinde tweeted, “Dear Shiv Sainiks, recognize the game of the MVA. I am fighting to rescue the Shiv Sena from the crocodile grip of the MVA. This battle is for the benefit of Shiv Sainiks.” Meanwhile, there were reports that Shinde had met BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis in Vadodara on Friday night, but the BJP denied any such meeting had taken place. BJP sources said while Fadnavis did go out of Mumbai, his destination was not known.

Concerned about the perception battle, the Shinde camp held a press conference to clear misunderstandings. “We will remain in the Shiv Sena and not merge with any other party... The attempt to disqualify our MLAs is illegal,” Kesarkar said.

He asked the CM to control vandals. “There is no need for the party to take to the streets. We will not return to Mumbai until this situation is controlled. Do not allow law and order to get out of hand and then complain when the Centre intervenes,” Kesarkar said. He also said they had the numbers to prove their group had a two-thirds majority and that a separate group is allowed in the legislature and they need not merge. Asked about their response to summons on the disqualification petition, he said, “They need to give us a week to respond. We will ask for more time.”

In the morning, Shinde alleged security of the 38 rebel MLAs had been withdrawn by the state. The MLAs wrote to Thackeray and home minister Dilip Walse Patil on the letter-head of the Sena legislature party, saying security had been illegally withdrawn at a time when MVA was asking its cadres “to take up violence and intimidate us.” It pointed out that in Punjab, when security of high-profile individuals had been removed, they were targeted by gangsters. “If any harm comes to their families, Chief Minister Thackeray and other members of the MVA like Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray should be held responsible,” the letter said.

However, home minister Dilip Walse Patil denied this.
Raut, however, warned Sainiks were upset and could react. “No one’s security has been withdrawn but Shiv Sainiks are angry and there could be an explosion. They can set things on fire. But we have told them to maintain calm,” he said.
Navneet Rana demanded imposition of President’s Rule. “Uddhav Thackeray’s goondagardi needs to end. The families of rebel MLAs should be provided security,” she said.
Sena workers targeted the rebel camp through the day, tearing posters, shouting slogans and vandalizing offices in parts of the state. In Thane, Shinde’s party workers demonstrated against MVA. Without naming Thackeray, Shinde’s son MP Shrikant Shinde said at least his father was not sitting at home during the pandemic.
The Sena ministers who may be sacked as are urban development minister Shinde, water resources minister Gulabrao Patil, agriculture minister Dada Bhuse, and ministers of state Shamburaje Desai (home), Sandipan Bhumre (EGS), Abdul Sattar (rural development) and Bachchu Kadu (education).