Maharashtra Crisis: Shiv Sena Must Walk Out Of ‘Unnatural Alliance’ With NCP & Congress, Says Rebel MLA

Pic courtesy The Indian Express

Mumbai: Eknath Shinde, who is leading a Shiv Sena rebellion in Maharashtra, made it clear that the days are numbered for the MVA coalition government.

The state Urban Development and Public Works Minister said that to ensure survival of Shiv Sena, it is necessary to step out of the “unnatural alliance” with the Congress and NCP.

“In the last two years under the MVA government, only the coalition partners benefitted while the Shiv Sainiks were left frustrated. While our allies gained strength the Shiv Sena and Sainiks were deliberately weakened. For ensuring the survival of the party and Sainiks, it is necessary to step out of this unnatural alliance. It is time to take a decision for the greater good of Maharashtra,” Eknath tweeted on Wednesday evening.

Eknath has claimed that he has the support of 34 out of 55 Shiv Sena MLAs, who are currently camping in Guwahati after initially escaping to Surat.

Not many believe Eknath’s numbers, with chief minister Uddhav Thackeray saying during his address via Facebook Live session that a number of rebel MLAs are wanting to return.

Uddhav said he is ready to resign from the CM’s chair, if the MLAs meet him and say on his face that they don’t want him as leader.