Shiv Sena workers vandalise offices, threaten rebels

For the second day running Shiv Sena workers vandalised offices and properties of rebel party MLAs on Saturday even as rebel leader Eknath Shinde alleged that the state government has withdrawn security of their family members to pressurise them.

Shinde alleged that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government is trying to engineer a situation akin to Punjab where singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead last month after the state withdrew his security.

Shiv Sena workers vandalised office of rebel Kurla MLA Mangesh Kudalkar on Friday and that of Pune MLA Tanaji Sawant on Saturday.


Amajority of Sena MLAs are holed up in a hotel in Guwahati, demanding that the party leave the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and join hands with BJP to form the government.

In a letter to Thackeray, home minister Dilip Walse Patil, and state DGP Rajnish Sheth, Shinde alleged, “The security provided to us at our residence as well as to our family members, have been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge… This sinister move is an attempt to break our resolve and arm-twist us into giving in to the demands of the MVA government comprising of NCP and Congress goons.” Patil denied the allegation. “There has been no security withdrawn from the MLAs. We will provide security to the family members,” he said. Shinde in his letter also alleged that MVA leaders are “instigating the cadres of their respective parties to take up violence to further intimidate us”.

Some Sena leaders warned that there could be more violence. “Till now, there is no outbreak of violence as yet, but it can happen,” party MP Sanjay Raut said. “Sainiks are asking us what to do and if they get angry, fires will burn.”

Shiv Sena MLA Ambadas Danve said, “Who can stop the Shiv Sena workers' feelings? If your actions lead to pain to Uddhav Thackeray, then you will not be left in peace.”

When asked about the Sena workers violating the rule of law, Danve retorted. “The Shiv Sainiks have nothing to do with the rule of law.”