Sanjay Raut claims Shinde’s Sena MLAs in touch with Uddhav Sena, Mhaske dismisses it

Raut said no decision or thought have been given to whether to take back such MLAs. ”We have not yet thought about it,” he said.

Rubbishing Raut’s claim, Shiv Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske claimed that two newly elected MPs of Uddhav Sena are in touch with them. “In fact, the MLAs of Uddhav Sena are in touch with us and want to join our party”.

“The two MPs don’t like the way the Sena has deviated from its ideology. Since there is disqualification issue involved, the two MPs said they will get back after convincing six MPs to join hands with Shiv Sena,” Mhaske said.

Mhaske said the Uddhav Sena MPs won in the recently held Lok Sabha election on the votes they got from a particular section of society.

“They (Uddhav Sena) do not have support of all sections of society. The Assembly elections will show them their place,” he said.

Earlier this week, Rohit Pawar had claimed that 18-19 MLAs of Ajit Pawar’s NCP were in touch with party chief Sharad Pawar. ”They are eager to return but our party chief will take the final decision. We will take the decision based on how a particular MLA has behaved. Whether he has been highly critical of our leader or has not stopped very low in criticising our leader. Those who have been offensive will not be taken,” he had said.

After the BJP-led alliance faced a setback in the Lok Sabha elections, winning only 17 of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, speculations are rife about rebel Sena and NCP MLAs who walked out of the Opposition camp, returning back to parent parties. The political development assumes significance ahead of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra which are likely in October.