Shiv Sena’s ultimatum to rebel MLAs amid crisis: ‘Attend 5 pm meeting today or get expelled’

The Shiv Sena has given its dissident MLAs an ultimatum amid the worsening political crisis in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena Chief Whip Sunil Prabhu wrote to all party MLAs requesting their attendance at a crucial meeting that would take place that evening on Wednesday. The letter issues a warning that if someone doesn’t show up, it will be assumed that the absent MLA has chosen to leave the party freely.

The letter plainly indicates that anyone who skips the meeting without providing a valid excuse and advance notice should be aware that action would be taken to cancel their membership in accordance with the rules of the constitution.

Uddhav Thackeray, the chief minister and leader of the Shiv Sena, released the letter while his cabinet met to discuss the crisis that his government is currently experiencing. Uddhav, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today, joined the meeting via video conference.

The CM expressed optimism that the rebel legislators will return, like MLA Nitin Deshmukh, during the Cabinet meeting that was skipped by the majority of the ministers who had backed with the rebel leader Eknath Shinde.

According to sources, the CM seemed composed and at ease throughout the virtual Cabinet meeting.

“Unless you provide justification, you will not be excused from attending this conference. It will be assumed that you quit the Shiv Sena voluntarily if you don’t show up for the meeting. If you quit the party, action will be taken against you in accordance with the law of the land,” the letter stated, according to sources.

The letter claimed that an environment had been created to undermine the Maharashtra government.

All MLAs and ministers have received the letter or notice via email, SMS, and WhatsApp messaging.