In another sensation twist amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, a Shiv Sena MLA who was said to be in Eknath Shinde's camp on Wednesday alleged that around 150 Gujarat policemen took him to a hospital in Surat and pretended as he has suffered an attack. Shiv Sena MLA Nitin Deshmukh also claimed that people wanted to operate on him on the pretext of the attack, but said he is alright.
"100-150 Policemen took me to a hospital & pretended as I have suffered an attack. They wanted to operate on me, harm me under that pretext. By God's grace, I am alright. I am with Uddhav Thackeray," Deshmukh told reporters after he managed to return from Surat to Nagpur on Wednesday evening.
Exiting the rebel camp, Deshmukh also alleged that he was 'kidnapped' and taken to Gujarat's Surat from where he escaped. Deshmukh also said that he did not suffer any sudden health complications, but was forcibly taken to the hospital.
Deshmukh's wife filed a police complaint of her husband going 'missing' on Tuesday. MLA Nitin Deshmukh represents the Balapur Assembly constituency in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, the leader of rebellion in ruling Shiv Sena has now claimed that he has 40 MLAs with him.
Shinde, who arrived at the Guwahati airport, spoke to reporters for the first time since his decision to rebel against his own party. Shinde had left Mumbai with several Sena MLAs and stayed at a hotel in Gujarat's Surat city.
However, after holding talks with BJP leaders, he decided to shift to Guwahati. "Here 40 MLAs are with me. Additional 10 MLAs will join me soon. I do not want to criticise any one. We are keen on continuing the Sena founded by late Balasaheb Thackeray," Shinde said while speaking to reporters outside Guwahati airport.