Will hurt those out to split Shiv Sena: Abdul Sattar

Mumbai: The anxiety among Shiv Sena MLAs over the possibility of a split in the party was evident on Wednesday as party MLA Abdul Sattar threatened to resort to violence if attempts were made to break his party. Sena’s legislative party leader

“We will break the heads and legs of those who will try to break our party so that they will not be able to walk or show their face again,” said Mr Sattar, the MLA from Sillod.

There were reports that some Sena MLAs were upset with the party’s decision to join hands with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and some of them even met party chief Uddhav Thackeray to express their displeasure.

However, Mr Sattar said that the alliance of Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena is over. He said, “The relationship between BJP and Shiv Sena has ended. Our minister has resigned from the Union Cabinet and now Shiv Sena MPs are setting on the other side in Parliament. So I think the alliance is over for BJP-Shiv Sena.”

Mr Sattar, who was previously been a two-term Congress MLA from Sillod before joining Shiv Sena ahead of Vidhan Sabha polls, also said that Mr Thackeray will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra.

“The government will be formed within a week and Uddhav Thackerayji will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra for sure,” he said.

Amid uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra, which is currently under President’s Rule, Mr Thackeray has called a meeting of his party MLAs on November 22 at his residence, Matoshree.

“All MLAs have been called for a meeting. We also have been asked to bring our ID cards and clothes for 5 days,” Mr Sattar said.

The Sena’s legislative party leader Eknath Shinde also dismissed reports of rebellion in the party.

“No one is unhappy in the Shiv Sena. The news is being spread to create confusion among the people. But it should not be trusted,” the legislator said.

Following the reports of some Sena MLAs not happy with the party’s decision to form a government with the support of NCP and Congress, Mr Shinde met Mr Thackeray at his residence.

Denying the rumours of discontent in the party, the Shiv Sena leader said, “There is no question of getting dejected as we have given all rights for government formation to Uddhavji. He will take the decision in the interest of the state and the party only.”