22 MLAs, 9 MPs Will Quit Eknath Shinde Faction: Shiv Sena (UBT)

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday claimed that 22 MLAs and nine MPs from the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may quit.

According to the report in NDTV, an editorial in Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana' has dubbed the MPs and MLAs belonging to the Shinde group as "fowls" in BJP coop and there's no saying when they could be slaughtered.

“In 2019, the Sena had severed its ties with the BJP for the same step-motherly treatment,” the report mentioned.

It added: “There are reports are that Shinde group's 22 MLAs and nine MPs are feeling suffocated because of step-motherly treatment by the BJP and they have developed the mindset to quit the group”.

“The Sena MPs and MLAs who betrayed the Thackerays and joined hands with the BJP, has had their love affair turned sour" and there are talks of divorce,” it added.

“The matter was raised over the weekend by Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar, who alleged that his party was getting step-motherly treatment from the BJP,” it mentioned.

"We are part of the NDA....So our work should be carried out accordingly, and (NDA) constituents should get a (suitable) status. We think we are being given step-motherly treatment," the report quoted Kirtikar as having said.

"Shiv Sena distanced itself from the BJP as the party was trying to finish it," the report quoted Sanjay Raut, one of the senior most leaders of the UBT as having said.

"The BJP is like a crocodile or python. Whoever goes with them, they are swallowed. Now they (Shiv Sena MPs and MLAs who rebelled against leadership) will realise that Uddhav Thackeray's stand to distance himself from this crocodile was right," added Raut, who is also a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray was quoted as having said.