Rebel Eknath Shinde Alleges Security Pared Down, Team Thackeray Denies It

Despite opposition from senior minister Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray summoned today’s national executive meeting despite being relegated to a minority inside the Shiv Sena, the party started by his father Balasaheb Thackeray.

In a tweet sent this morning, Mr. Shinde claimed that the state administration had provided security cover at the homes of 16 dissident legislators, including himself, and referred to the move as “political vendetta.” He declared, “The government is in charge of defending them and their families.” Sanjay Raut, the chief spokesperson for Sena, refuted the accusations.A national executive meeting has been scheduled for 1 pm at Shiv Sena Bhavan by Uddhav Thackeray. In a meeting of the district leaders that Mr. Thackeray called on Friday, he said that the breakaway MLAs sought to “destroy the party.”

Mr. Thackeray asserted that “The Sena is not done” and that those supporting the BJP must be questioned. He said, “Those who wish to leave are welcome to do so openly. I will form a new Shiv Sena.”Mr. Thackeray further charged that the BJP was attempting to destroy the Sena in a virtual speech to party corporators. He added that the late Bal Thackeray had started the alliance with the BJP mainly to prevent a split in Hindutva votes. “Shiv Sena is an ideology… BJP wants to finish it off because they don’t want to share the Hindu vote bank with anyone,” he claimed.

The Deputy Speaker is set to deliver notices to the 16 MLAs who have joined rebel leader Eknath Shinde today. The deputy speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly has already received the names of these rebellious MLAs in order to start the disqualification process against them. On the outskirts of Guwahati, the capital of Assam, the rebels have set up camp at a five-star hotel. According to insiders, the pointsman is a young MP who is believed to be close to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. At least three Assam BJP ministers are also closely monitoring logistical issues at the Guwahati hotel.

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