Sanjay Raut
Maharashtra political crisis: In what could be seen as a step taking back, in a view to placate the rebel MLAs, Shiv Sena on Thursday said that it is ready to 'think' about walking out of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday renewed an offer to the rebel leaders who have now parked themselves in Guwahati and said the Sena is ready to quit the MVA government in Maharashtra if the group of rebel legislators camping in Assam returns to Mumbai in 24 hours and discusses the issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
"You say you are real Shiv Sainiks and will not quit the party. We are ready to consider your demand provided you come back to Mumbai in 24 hours and discuss the issue with CM Uddhav Thackeray. Your demand will be considered positively. Don't write letters on Twitter and WhatsApp," Raut said.
"The rebels who are out of Mumbai have raised the issue of Hindutva. If all these MLAs feel that Shiv Sena should walk out of the MVA, show guts to come back to Mumbai. You say you have issues only with the government and also say that you are true Shiv Sainiks...Your demand will be considered. But come and talk with Uddhav Thackeray," he added.
Leaving the party in catch-22 situation, Eknath Shinde has flaunted the support of 37 rebel MLAs of the Sena and nine independents in Guwahati.
Eknath Shinde, earlier on Wednesday said that Shiv Sena must break 'unnatural alliance' with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and Congress (the two other alliance partners in the ruling MVA government). Later in the evening, Uddhav made an emotional appeal to dissident Sena MLAs to sit and talk face-to-face to bridge the divide.
