Shiv Sena MLAs' Support To Eknath Shinde Expected To Cross 50

Guwahati: Eknath Shinde camp is expected to see more than 50 MLAs as more lawmakers are likely to arrive in Guwahati on Friday.

According to reports, Shinde currently enjoys the support of 50 MLAs of which 40 are from Shiv Sena while others are independent MLAs.

"Those who have faith in our role will join us. We want to carry forward Balasaheb's ideology, those who like it, they will come," media reports quoted Shinde as saying.

Notably, Shiv Sena, on June 23, wrote to the Maharashtra Assembly deputy speaker seeking the disqualification of 12 rebel MLAs and Eknath Shinde responded to this move by hitting back at his own party.

"You cannot scare us by giving the names of 12 MLAs for disqualification because we are followers of the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. We know the law, so we do not pay heed to threats," Shinde tweeted.

"We know your ways and the law too! According to Schedule 10 of the Constitution, the whip is used for assembly work, not for meetings," he further said in a tweet.

A petition has been filed by the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray before the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly, seeking the cancellation of membership of 12 rebel MLAs including Eknath Shinde for "not attending" legislative party meeting held on June 22.

"We've filed a petition before the Deputy Speaker (of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly) and demanded that the membership of 12 (MLAs) should be cancelled as they didn't attend yesterday's meeting," Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said.

"Before the meeting notice was issued in which it was said that if you didn't attend the meeting then legal action will be taken as per the constitution. Some didn't come and some gave unnecessary reasons," he added.

Besides Shinde, Shiv Sena has sought disqualification of Prakash Surve, Tanaji Sawant, Mahesh Shinde, Abdul Sattar, Sandeep Bhumare, Bharat Gogawale, Sanjay Shirsat, Yamini Yadhav, Anil Babar, Balaji Devdas, and Lata Chaudhari.

Also read: Shiv Sena prepared to walk out of MVA, 'if..': Sanjay Raut to rebels

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