Eknath Shinde camp working at BJP's behest: Uddhav Thackeray

Former CM Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that the Eknath Shinde camp was working at the behest of BJP to finish off the Shiv Sena and challenged them to form their own party without using the Sena name or by joining hands with the BJP. In an emotional appeal meant to mobilise the cadre, Thackeray said the Shiv Sena had been betrayed by its own people.

Thackeray on Sunday addressed the state through social media where he said the Sena would rise despite being 'betrayed' by its own people. "We tolerated them (Eknath Shinde) when they said that they wanted to bring down our government and wanted to bring down the chief minister who was Balasaheb Thackeray's son. However, now (after the EC decision), it is getting too much as they want to become the Sena president," he said.

Thackeray said the Shinde camp was working at the behest of BJP and that after the latter is done with the Shinde camp, they would 'discard' them.

"Those who are speaking now about joining with Congress should remember that when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency, there were demands from some quarters to ban our organisation. However, the Congress government did not do it. However, those with whom you went have ensured that the Shiv Sena symbol and name have been frozen and an attempt is made to finish off the Shiv Sena. Who is the culprit here? Congress or you (Eknath Shinde)," he asked.

He appealed to EC to follow ex-election commissioner TN Seshan's example and be "independent and unbiased".