New Delhi: Trouble for the beleaguered Shiv Sena is mounting by each day as the exodus of leaders is not just limited to MLAs but the Sena Parliamentarians are also gravitating towards the rebel camp, stationed in Assam.
Sena has a total of 19 Members of Parliament (MPs) and reports suggest that more than a dozen have extended support and are ready to rally behind them.
The Sena MPs have so far remained tightlipped over the ‘war within party’ but sources say that if time comes, many will abandon Thackeray camp and side with the Shinde camp.
Today, more Sena MLAs have descended from Mumbai to Guwahati to unite with the rebel faction led by Eknath Shinde, ignoring the emotional appeal of party chief Uddhav Thackeray.
More than 37 rebel MLAs have already joined Eknath Shindi in Assam, making it the ‘real’ Shiv Sena. Out of 55 MLAs, not more 15 MLAs are said to be with Thackerays.
Corporators being wooed by Shinde camp
Eknath Shinde camp is reportedly reaching out to Sena corporators and office bearers to build pressure on the Sena leadership to dissociate itself from the MVA and return to its original Hindutva line.
After MLAs switchover, another crisis is looming before the party as more than 60 corporators from Thane district are in touch with Shinde camp while the Mayor has extended support to it, said sources.
The biggest challenge for Uddhav is to keep its flock united including the corporators & office bearers as it will face tough time in saving party symbol, if party heads towards split.
In its bid to ward off further dissension & departure of MLAs from party fold, the Sena has also filed petition before Maharashtra’s Deputy Speaker and has sought disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs for not attending the party meeting.
