Shiv Sena set for another 'big leak', several MPs may join CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai, July 19 (IANS) In yet another shocker for Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, several MPs are on the verge of walking over to the camp of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, party sources said here on Tuesday.The MPs, around a dozen, are expected to soon announce their formal support to Shinde after attending an online meeting with him on Monday.In anticipation, the Maharashtra Police and Central government has given these MPs extra security at their homes or offices in Mumbai to prevent any untoward incidents.On Monday evening, Sena MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut had discounted the possibility of the MPs switching sides and termed it as a 'Comedy Express 2' being enacted by the Shinde Group.The MPs, who have been in touch with the rival camp, have claimed that they would be safe with the Shinde-led party faction supported by the Bharatiya Janata PartyThere is also intense speculation that a couple of MPs may be rewarded with two Central ministerial berths after they join the Shinde camp, once the Supreme Court verdict comes on Wednesday.Raut indicated that the party will send a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on its MPs and they could face action on the lines of the Sena MLAs, initiated in June after their mass-rebellion.He added that the Shinde side is attempting to create confusion among the party leaders and the masses but the Shiv Sena would fight the legal battle that is underway.
--IANS qn/dpb

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