Shiv Sena president and CM Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi has stepped in to help her husband to save the party and the party led government. Rashmi Thackeray has opened dialogue with the wives of rebel legislators through an emotional appeal to come back to the party fold.
Rashmi Thackeray’s entry is crucial as she has a direct connect with all 55 Shiv Sena legislators of which currently 39 MLAs including Eknath Shinde have staged rebellion challenging the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister and the party president.
A senior Shiv Sena leader told the Free Press Journal, ‘’ Rashmi Thackeray has contacted wives of more than 10 rebels who are currently camping in Gauhati. She has been making an emotional appeal to the family members to approach the MLAs with an urge to return to the party fold.’’ He said Rashi Thackeray’s intervention is crucial when party MP Sanjay Raut has reiterated that nearly 15 to 20 rebel MLAs were in the party’s contact and they will surely return to party after landing at Mumbai.
Rashmi Thackeray’s move comes close on the heels of media reports of scuffle among the rebel MLAs camped in a five start hotel at Guwahati. ‘’The family members are worried about MLAs after reports of alleged beating and manhandling. Rashmi Thackeray has urged the wives to persuade their husbands saying that their issues can be resolved through dialogue,’’ said another Shiv Sena leader who was present at the party’s national executive held on Saturday.
MLAs of Shinde Camp Ready to Face Floor Test in Maha Assembly: Sena Rebel
Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar said the Eknath Shinde camp was ready to face the floor test in the Maharashtra legislative assembly but only after they were recognised as a Sena faction. He said once their strength increased to 51, they will be making the decision to return to Mumbai.
‘’One to two more MLAs will come and join us. With their support and other independents, our strength will be increased to 51. We will arrive at a decision in three to four days and, thereafter, we will directly go back to Maharashtra,” said Kesarkar, adding, “MLAs of the Shinde camp are ready to face the floor test in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly at any time, but first recognition should be given to Eknath Shinde faction. We will not go with the MVA government.”
No Disruption in Law & Order; Prohibitory Orders in Place: Maha Home Department
The Maharashtra home department on Sunday said prohibitory orders had been put in place in different parts of the state in anticipation of a law and order situation due to the ongoing political crisis in the MVA-led government.
‘’There is no major incident of disruption of the law and order situation in the state today. Adequate security has been provided at the office, residence of all MLAs who’ve gone to Guwahati. At no point was the security withdrawn of MLAs who’ve gone to Guwahati,” said the home office. It also said the state police was on alert and geared up to deal with any law and order issue. “Prohibitory orders are in force in different parts of the state. Anybody trying to disrupt peace will be dealt with as per the law,” said the officer from the home department.
