'Will Consider Leaving MVA, but Return to Mumbai': Sena's Sanjay Raut to Rebels

The Shiv Sena MP gave rebel MLAs an ultimatum of 24 hours to return to the state and make their demands directly.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

(Photo: Twitter/Sanjay Raut)

Amid the political crisis in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday, 23 June, said that the party would consider leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government provided that the rebel MLAs return to Mumbai within 24 hours and state their demands directly.

"MLAs should not communicate from Guwahati. They should come back to Mumbai and discuss all this with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. We are ready to consider exiting the MVA alliance if this is the will of all MLAs, but for that, they have to come here and discuss it with the CM," Raut said.

The MVA comprises the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress, apart from the Sena.

At least 42 MLAs - 35 from the Sena and seven independents - are camped in Guwahati under the leadership of Eknath Shinde.

Later in the day, Raut reiterated that the party was ready for discussions.

"The doors are still open for talks. Discussions can lead the way. Rather than accepting slavery, take a decision while guarding your self respect," Raut wrote in a tweet.

Cong Calls Meeting At 4 pm After Raut's Comments

After Raut's comments, the Congress called for a meeting of its leaders at 4 pm. Leaders scheduled to attend include HK Patil, Balasaheb Thorat, Nana Patole, and Ashok Chavan, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to ABP Majha, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan reacted to Raut's comments, saying that he will be surprised if "Uddhav Thackeray will take a U-turn under pressure."

"Uddhav ji didn't indicate any such possibility yesterday. So, it needs to be asked if the Sena is taking this stand under pressure. Will he take a secondary role by joining hands with the BJP?" he asked

"I don't think Uddhav will take a U-turn like this under pressure. This is their internal matter and they are free to take a decision. I will be surprised if he takes a u-turn like that," he added.

The NCP's Praful Patel, meanwhile, said that the circumstances surrounding the Maharashtra government were difficult.

"It is true that the situation is tough. We will assess the matters in a meeting that is scheduled to take place in the evening," Patel said while addressing the press.

(With inputs from ANI and ABP.)