Maharashtra crisis: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray offers olive branch but rebels spurn it

MUMBAI: In an apparent softening of stance, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena President, on Tuesday appealed to the rebel group camping in Guwahati to return and hold discussions, but rebel leader and state minister Eknath Shinde indirectly spurned the latest overtures. "Many of you are in contact with us and are still emotionally connected with the Shiv Sena. The families of many have also got in touch with us and conveyed your sentiments to us," said Thackeray.

He assured that as the head of the Sena family, he respected their views and made it clear from his heart that till date "nobody is out of the party" though the (rebels) are stuck in Guwahati with all kinds of speculation. "I appeal to you all... Come before me, let's remove all the misconceptions in the minds of the people and the Shiv Sainiks," Thackeray appealed.

The CM said if they all sit together, they can definitely come up with a solution to the political imbroglio even as he cautioned them against falling prey to any kind of wrong measures, hinting at a possible tie-up with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. He made it clear that the respect and dignity the Shiv Sena accorded to them, they can never get that privilege anywhere else.

"Come in front of me and present your views, let's work out a solution. I am still worried about you," concluded Thackeray, as the worsening crisis threatened the survival of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress. Hours later, Shinde hit back at Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray and the party's chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut in a sharp tweet.

"On one hand your son (state minister Aditya Thackeray) and spokesperson (MP Sanjay Raut) called the revered Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sainiks pigs, gutter-muck, dogs, cattle, morons, zombies, and even brought in their fathers, and on the other hand, they are making a call to save the anti-Hindutva MVA by trying to get back the very same MLAs...What does this mean," Shinde asked.

This was the third direct appeal made by the CM to the rebels since the party's crisis exploded on the night of June 21-22. The ruling MVA plunged into turmoil when around 39 Sena MLAs and 11 others sneaked out to Gujarat and then to Assam as part of the rebel faction herded by Shinde. (IANS)

Also Read: Maha Political Crisis: CM Thackeray Reassigns Portfolios of 9 Shiv Sena Rebel Ministers

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