Maharashtra Political Crisis: Shiv Sena Ready To Walk Out Of MVA Govt If Rebels Return In 24 Hrs, Says Raut

Eknath Shinde, who is leading the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray amid the ongoing political turmoil in Maharashtra, has claimed the support of 40 MLAs.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut during press conference (Source: File photo/Getty)

New Delhi: The party has once again appealed to the rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and his supporting MLAs sitting in Guwahati, to return to Mumbai. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the MLAs who are outside Maharashtra should return to Mumbai within 24 hours. "We are ready to walk out of MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government in Maharashtra, but party rebels should return to Mumbai (from Guwahati) in 24 hours," Sanjay Raut, who is Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson, said.

Shiv Sena ready to walk out of MVA govt in Maharashtra, but party rebels should return to Mumbai (from Guwahati) in 24 hours: MP Sanjay Raut

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2022

"You say you are real Shiv Sainiks and will not quit the party. We are ready to consider your demand provided you come back to Mumbai in 24 hours and discuss the issue with CM Uddhav Thackeray. Your demand will be considered positively. Don't write letters on Twitter and WhatsApp," Raut was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

"The rebels who are out of Mumbai have raised the issue of Hindutva. If all these MLAs feel that Shiv Sena should walk out of the MVA, show the guts to come back to Mumbai. You say you have issues only with the government and also say that you are true Shiv Sainiks...Your demand will be considered. But come and talk with Uddhav Thackeray," he added.

Eknath Shinde, who is leading the rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray amid the ongoing political turmoil in Maharashtra, has claimed the support of 40 MLAs, but this has been challenged by party leader Sanjay Raut. The party leader has claimed that at least half of the 40 MLAs who turned to Shinde are "in touch" to come back.

CM Thackeray had on Wednesday offered to quit the CM post in the midst of the rebellion by Shinde and later additionally cleared his official residence in south Mumbai prior to moving to his family home in suburban Bandra.

(With PTI inputs)