We have been betrayed by our own people, says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on rebellion in Shiv Sena

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, June 24

"We have been betrayed by our own people," Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray tonight said while talking about the rebellion in the Shiv Sena.

In yet another emotional speech to Shiv Sena cadres, Thackeray said he would work to make the Sena stronger and would fight till the end.

“Nobody has stood by Hindutva like the Shiv Sena,” he said, accusing the BJP of breaking the party, spreading lies and warning the rebels they will not be re-elected.

Earlier in the day, addressing a meeting of Sena's district officials and cadres, Chief Minister Thackeray said he was not attached to power but the fight was not over.

Attempting an emotional connect with his cadres, the embattled CM outlined the relationship between them and Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Alluding to allegations of his lack of communication lodged by party leaders, Thackeray said he had not been keeping well for past seven-eight months.

Shiv Sena cannot be without Thackeray, he is also believed to have said, adding that he may have left Varsha, the official residence of CM, but not the fight. "Contest elections without using Thackeray name and Sena symbol," he is also believed to have said, challenging rebels. 

The relationship between the two warring sections of Shiv Sena seems to have reached the point of no return.

Observers said with Eknath Shinde side not budging, Thackeray is now cementing his relationship with Sena cadres. With the fight escalating for the control of Sena, Thackeray supporters said rebels have "backstabbed" and that it was time for Sena to build new leaders.

Meanwhile, stating that he would restore ties with the BJP,  Shinde side is now claiming the support of more than 50 MLAs, including 40 from the Shiv Sena.  They also termed Sena's current alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress in Maharashtra "unnatural".

Rebel leaders have also dismissed charges of "ED pressure" on them from the BJP, saying that they have signed support to Shinde and Thackeray must resign to make way for "new Sena". 

"We want to restore the original verdict of people. We fought together as the BJP- Shiv Sena combine. We want a tie-up with BJP. I would request Udhhav Thackeray to not go with those who have broken Shiv Sena three times," said rebel leader Deepak Kesarkar. 

Yesterday as many as 37 Shiv Sena MLAs of the Shinde faction wrote to the Governor and the Deputy Speaker, naming him the legislature party leader, sidelining Thackeray in the party founded by his father. Shinde also claimed that the group led by him is the "real Shiv Sena"

Meanwhile, the group led by Thackeray has sought the disqualification of around 16 legislators from the Shinde camp for not attending the legislature party meeting on Wednesday. Today Shinde camp also asked for the removal of Deputy Speaker, who is from the NCP.

Responding, Eknath Shinde said in tweets, "There are several Supreme Court decisions in this regard. Who are you trying to frighten? We understand your games and law as well. You can't ask for action against our MLAs because we are loyal to Balasaheb Thackeray and are the real Shiv Sena and Shiv Sainiks. In fact, we demand action against you for forming a group despite having no numbers."  

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