MUMBAI: Even as Shiv Sena continued to haemorrhage, losing key MLAs like Mumbai’s Chandivali legislator Dilip Lande to the rebel faction on Friday, MP Sanjay Raut challenged the rebels. “We are not the sort to get defeated. What you did was wrong. We gave you the opportunity to come here but now your time is up,” he said. “We are ready. We challenge you to come to Mumbai and face us.” By afternoon, Sena cadres took to the streets in some areas, tearing posters and attacking offices of rebels.
The rebel faction says it will not leave Guwahati before resolving two issues. “If these 16 MLAs are disqualified by the deputy speaker, we will challenge it in court. It is mandatory to hear the MLAs before the deputy speaker takes a decision,” said rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar. He also said the rebel faction will legally challenge the appointment of Sunil Prabhu as chief whip of the legislature party. “We have the support of 38 MLAs and Sena’s chief whip must be from our group,” said Kesarkar. The rebel faction claims the support of 50 MLAs, including Independents.
