Uddhav Thackeray says 'left Varsha, not the fight' in address to Sena workers

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday made another emotional appeal to his party workers as he addressed the party's district chiefs and taluka heads amid the ongoing political crisis in the state. Reassuring his will to fight the rebellion, Uddhav said he has left Varsha bungalow, the official residence of the state chief minister, but he has not given up the will to fight. Uddhav said he does not hold any grudge against the deserters joining the rebel camp of Eknath Shinde. "Why should I feel bad about those who left?" the chief minister said. Also Read: ‘Union minister threatened Pawar...', says Raut, BJP responds

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This is Uddhav's second address since the crisis began early this week - the first was a live address where he said he had no desire to cling on to his chief minister's post if his party workers consider him incapable. He also shifted out from Varsha, the official residence where he was staying, to his family residence Matoshree with his family.

On Friday's address, Uddhav reiterated that he is ready to step down if Shiv Sainiks want him to do so.

Also Read: Uddhav Thackeray invited too, says Assam CM as Congress asks Maha MLAs to leave

The rebel camp of Eknath Shinde has gained strength with one more party MLA Dilip Lande joining the camp. The loss of Lande is being considered a major blow as he represents the Chandivali Assembly constituency in Mumbai.

Also Read: Maha crisis | ‘Dare them to come back’, Sanjay Raut's fresh salvo at rebel MLAs

The power play is escalating without any breakthrough as the future course of the action is not yet clear with both the camps flexing their power. The Shiv Sena has sought the disqualification of four MLAs.

Uddhav Thackeray, so far, has the support of alliance partners Shiv Sena and the NCP. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed NCP chief Sharad Pawar was threatened by a Union minister. "Threats are being given to Sharad Pawar ji by a Central minister. Do such threats have the support of Modi Ji and Amit Shah Ji?" said Raut.

Raut on Thursday gave a warning to the rebel MLAs and asked them to return to Mumbai within 24 hours, promising discussion over the possibility of Sena exiting the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. On Friday, Sanjay Raut said the party is exploring all options to take action against the rebel MLAs. "We will not surrender. We will win on the floor of the house and if the battle comes to the road, we will win there as well. Whoever wants to face us should come to Mumbai…They (the Shinde faction) have taken the wrong step. We had given them time to return to the fold. Now, we are ready to fight," Raut said.