Maharashtra Political Crisis: 15-20 rebel Sena MLAs in touch, urging us to bring them back to Mumbai, says Aaditya Thackeray

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Monday termed the relief by the Supreme Court to him and other dissident Sena lawmakers as the victory of Bal Thackeray's Hindutva and the ideals of his mentor Anand Dighe.

Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's son and party MP Shrikant Shinde on Monday said Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal had sent the disqualification notice to his father and 15 other dissident legislators under pressure which is evident from the supreme court order.

Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, son of Shiv Sena rebel Eknath Shinde, on Monday asked party leader Sanjay Raut to watch his mouth, a day after the latter's "bodies without souls" remarks against the dissident MLAs camping in Guwahati caused a flutter. Talking to reporters at the 'Shakti Sthal' memorial of the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe here, Shrikant said Raut should be careful about the choice of words as he is also the father of someone and his family is watching his remarks. "This is not the culture of Maharashtra. The state is watching the manner in which he is passing comments. This happens when one realises that power is slipping out of hand," the MP said.When asked about the summons issued to Raut by the Enforcement Directorate asking him to a

Security arrangements were on Monday tightened in the luxury hotel here where rebel Maharashtra MLAs led by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde are camping as advocates, senior police and government officials were seen entering there. President of the Shiv Sena in neighbouring Manipur, M Tombi Singh, came to meet the rebel legislators but he was not allowed. He said he wanted to tell them not to create a division in the party. Singh claimed that he had "some contacts with Mumbai" before coming to the hotel.

Closing ranks with beleaguered Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was strongly with the Shiv Sena "whether in the government or the opposition." Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said the political crisis in Maharashtra was being orchestrated by the BJP from the national capital with the “misuse” of central investigative agencies.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim relief to rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and said that no decision will be taken on their disqualification till July 12. The Maharashtra deputy Speaker had granted the legislators time till June 27 evening to file a reply.