Maharashtra: Rebel Sena MLAs blow hot, blow cold on Uddhav camp

Rebel Shiv Sena MLAs on Thursday signaled that their revolt was limited to the legislative assembly and they wanted the party to remain intact. However, they warned that the 16 MLAs in Uddhav Thackeray camp would have to follow their whip in the Maharashtra assembly.

Deepak Kesarkar while addressing a press conference said the rebel MLAs held Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in high esteem. "A picture is being created of us celebrating Uddhavji's resignation. He was our chief minister and we are not happy with the resignation. It was not our intention to cause him pain. We, however, had to indirectly fight with him as we had to fight against Congress and NCP," said Kesarkar.

He said their 'fight was principled and ideological' and they 'still had lots of affection for Uddhavji'. The rebels have also warned that since they have control of the legislative unit, their decisions should be observed by the Uddhav camp as well.


"We control two-thirds of the legislative unit. So, if we take any decision for voting in the legislative assembly, or issue a whip, it has to be followed. If not, we can and will take action and they could face disqualification," said Kesarkar in a message to the 16 MLAs in Thackeray camp including MLA Aaditya Thackeray.

The Shinde camp is expecting some kind of relegation of party MP Sanjay Raut. Kesarkar said they would not be able to forgive Raut for his comments against them. "You called us pigs and backstabbers and even questioned our parentage. This should not have been allowed," said Kesarkar.