Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who is addressing region wise party meetings while targeting the rebel Shiv Sena legislators, on Tuesday claimed that 15-16 MLAs of the 39 MLAs in Gauhati were in touch. On the other hand, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the rebel MLAs have no work, they can relax until July 11.
Aaditya further claimed that some of the Shiv Sena legislators in Guwahati with the rebel camp are "being held as prisoners". ‘’They are our people," Aaditya said and added ‘’We are in touch with 15-16 of them."
Aaditya’s statement came hours after his father and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to the rebel legislators to return to Mumbai and talk to find a way out.
‘’There are some who actually wanted to rebel and go out. And some have just been taken away and held as prisoners. The chief minister has appealed again; so, if it's a matter of the party, they should return and we can talk to each other,’’ noted Aaditya.
On the survival of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, he said, "Our job is to serve the people. We will continue to do that. The government continues to function in full strength."
Earlier, rebel leader Eknath Shinde, who has claimed the support of 39 Shiv Sena MLAs, two Prahar JanShakti legislators and 7 independents, had criticised Aaditya Thackeray's recent statement that "scum" is going out of the Sena.
Meanwhile, Raut said Shiv Sena was hopeful of the return of some dissident MLAs. ‘’There are still a few MLAs whom we do not consider rebels, as they are in touch with us. Their families are also in touch with us and we are hopeful that they will return to us," he added.
Raut also said that BJP and Devendra Fadnavis should not get involved in the crisis unfolding in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. "If they do, then their party (BJP), Fadnavis and PM Modi's names will be tarnished," he opined.
