Shinde camp upset over Kirit Somaiya’s 'MAFIA CM' jibe at Uddhav Thackeray

Cracks have surfaced between the Eknath Shinde camp and BJP over BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s blistering attack against Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde camp spokesman Deepak Kesarkar and MLA from Buldhana Sanjay Gaikwad lashed out at Somaiya asking the BJP to warn him not to target Thackeray. Gaikwad said they don’t care about the government but will not tolerate any personal attack against Thackeray.

Kesarkar and Gaikwad were furious over Somaiya’s tweet in which he said, ‘’Met 'Rikshawala' CM Eknath Shinde at Mantralaya today along with Neil Somaiya, expressed Best Wishes & Thanked him for replacing MAFIA CM.”

Kesarkar, who has jumped to Shinde camp, said, ‘’We do not agree to the words used by Somaiya against Uddhav Thackeray. Such words should not be used. There is no need to comment on this. I have already requested to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other legislators not to criticise or make any statement against Uddhav Thackeray.’’ ‘’We have brought to Fadnavis’ notice about Somaiya’s criticism against Uddhav Thackeray and hope Fadnavis will tell Somaiya not to make personal remarks against Uddhav Thackeray. We did not like what has happened,’’ he noted.

On the other hand, Gaikwad, who has been an harsh critic of Somaiya, warned that they will not tolerate criticism against the Thackeray family. ‘’Somaiya should keep in mind that we will not tolerate his attack against the Thackeray family. We will not care about the power if Somaiya continues with his barb against the Thackeray family,’’ he warned.

‘’Kirit Somaiya should not think that the legislators have separated from Shiv Sena or formed a separate group. We are Shiv Sena. Somaiya should not think that we have dumped our loyalty to Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and we will part ways by cursing them,’’ said Gaikwad.