16 rebel MLAs' names have been forwarded by the Sena to the deputy speaker in order to start the disqualification process against them. According to Sena MP Arvind Sawant on Friday, the party would also send notifications to 16 MLAs of the dissident group led by Eknath Shinde and want a response by Monday.
Despite sending them a letter, none of them showed up for the party meeting on Wednesday night in Mumbai, Sawant claimed.
“Now, only chief minister Uddhav Thackeray can decide about allowing their return to Sena, otherwise party doors are closed for them forever. They have betrayed the saffron flag," Sawant said, PTI reported.
Earlier, the deputy speaker approved the appointment of Ajay Chaudhary as the group leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party, replacing senior minister Shinde who has rebelled against the Shiv Sena leadership. He also rejected the Shinde camp’s suggestion to appoint Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale as chief whip of the legislature party in place of Sunil Prabhu.
Following this, all 37 of the Shiv Sena rebel MLAs in Guwahati wrote to Zirwal to declare that Shinde will continue to lead their group in the legislature.
