'Give security to families of MLAs…', Eknath Shinde writes to Uddhav Thackeray - Key points

New Delhi: Rebel Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde on Saturday (June 25, 2022) wrote a letter to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Home Minister, and the state DGP regarding "malicious withdrawal of security of family members of the 38 MLAs". In his letter, Eknath Shinde stated that the government is responsible for protecting them and their families. "The government is responsible for protecting them and their families," he said on Twitter. 

“That we are current sitting MLAs, however, the security provided to us at our residence as well as to our family members as per the protocol has been illegally and unlawfully withdrawn, as an act of revenge. Needless to mention, this sinister move is another attempt to break our resolve and arm twist us to give into the demands of the MVA government comprising the NCP and INC goons,” Shinde said in the letter.

Shinde alleged that Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut threatened the MLAs by stating that he would make it difficult for the MLAs who have left to return to Maharashtra and move around in the state. He said the impact of Raut`s statements was borne by two MLAs as their offices were vandalized by the carders of Shiv Sena merely after hours of withdrawing the security from MLAs.

Drawing the example of Punjab, Shinde said "the same scenario had happened in Punjab where the security of several high profile persona was removed by the state government due to which most of the high profile people became targets of gangsters/goons in the state and the withdrawal of security from MLAs is likely to create a similar impact in the state of Maharashtra as well."

"We state and demand that the security which we are entitled to under protocol should be provided to our families with immediate effect. We further state that if any harm were to come to our family members, the Chief Minister and the leaders of the MVA government like Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackrey will be responsible for the same," he added.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, while responding to the letter, said, "You are an MLA, so security has been provided to you. Your family members can't be provided with the same.” 

You are an MLA, so security has been provided to you. Your family members can't be provided with the same: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Eknath Shinde's letter over the withdrawal of security of family members of 38 MLAs pic.twitter.com/oR5Xn6Wc1u — ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

Mumbai Police on high alert 

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has issued a high alert in the city and has asked all Police Stations to ensure security at all political offices in the financial capital. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.

Mumbai Police issues a high alert and asks all Police Stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. It has been directed that officer-level Police personnel shall visit every political office to ensure their safety.#MaharashtraCrisis — ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

Navneet Rana urges Shah to provide security to families of rebel MLAs

On the other hand, Amravati MP Navneet Rana also urged Home Minister Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray. “I request Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray & making their own decisions, staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended...I request for President's Rule in state,” said Amravati MP Navneet Rana. 

I request Amit Shah to provide security to families of MLAs who are leaving Uddhav Thackeray & making their own decisions, staying connected with Balasaheb's ideology. Uddhav Thackeray's goondaism should be ended...I request for President's Rule in state: Amravati MP Navneet Rana pic.twitter.com/gToy0V0Ugk — ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2022

Currently, Shinde along with 38 party MLAs and nine independent MLAs are campaigning at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati in BJP-ruled Assam from June 22. Notably, CM Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of the party`s national executive committee on Saturday. The meeting will be held in Shiv Sena Bhavan which the Chief Minister will join virtually.

Besides, Shinde has also called a meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati on Saturday afternoon to discuss further strategy, said sources. Eknath Shinde faction, earlier on Friday, gave notice of a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Narhari Jhirwal, after the Uddhav Thackeray faction submitted a plea before the deputy speaker to disqualify the rebel MLAs.

On the other hand, Thackeray convened a meeting of the district chiefs virtually wherein he said that the rebel MLAs who are camping in Guwahati want to "break the party". 

(With ANI inputs)