Even as Uddhav Thackeray's government in Maharashtra appeared to be on shaky ground, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the party is still strong and that the rebels were not true "bhakts" (devotees) of Bal Thackeray, the late founder of the party.
"Around 20 MLAs are in touch with us. When they come to Mumbai, you will get to know," Mr Raut told ANI on Thursday morning. "It will soon be revealed, under what circumstances and pressure these MLAs left us."
Meanwhile, three more Shiv Sena MLAs left Mumbai to back senior party leader Eknath Shinde, who is leading the rebellion that threatens to split the party. The Shinde camp now apparently has 40 of the party's 55 MLAs on its side, which means it can stake claim to being the real Shiv Sena as it has the 2/3rd strength required under the anti-defection law.
With the support of this camp, the BJP may be back in power in the state after losing out to the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance in 2019. The BJP has, so far, claimed it has nothing to do with the crisis. Ruling alliance partners Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP have suggested that rebel Eknath Shinde be named as Chief Minister as a way out.
Mr Raut, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, alleged that the Enforcement Directorate under the central government was misused to create pressure on Shiv Sena legislators. "He who leaves the party under ED pressure is not a true Balasaheb bhakt. We're true Balasaheb bhakts," he said, pledging allegiance to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's father, whom Mr Shinde too has cited as his guiding light.
Mr Raut further said, "Even we have ED pressure but we will continue to stand with Uddhav Thackeray. When the floor test happens everyone will see who's positive and who is negative."
"Uddhav Thackeray is Maharashtra Chief Minister and he will remain the Chief Minsiter. If we get the chance, we will prove our majority on the floor of the House," he further said.
However, the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs have said that there is enormous discontent amongst the party workers for forming the government with NCP and Congress on account of different ideologies.
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