Uddhav: It’s sad but won’t affect party

Uddhav said those who celebrated after Raj’s announcement today were not ‘‘true Shivsainiks.’’

‘‘I have felt sad, as have lakhs of Shivsainiks across the state, but the Shivsainiks have faith in Balasaheb. Many corporators, MLAs and MPs have called me up to express support for the party,’’ he said, adding that the party’s work would go on as usual. ‘‘But our doors are still open to Raj,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Nirupam, who quit Sena to join the Congress, described the upheaval in the Sena as imminent. ‘‘It had to happen. If Raj works hard among the lower levels, he will be able to create a base for his party. Now, the real challenge to Uddhav will be from Raj and not the Congress or NCP,’’ Nirupam said. Chhagan Bhujbal, one of the first leaders to be expelled from the party, said ‘‘this was the beginning of Sena’s decline.’’

Vinod Tawde, chief of BJP’s Mumbai unit said he was saddened by the turn of events. ‘‘This has come at a time when Opposition parties needed to become strong. It is people’s loss.’’ Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) general secretary Gurunath Kulkarni extended his best wishes to Raj ‘‘if he shows the guts to form a new party.’’