There are a lot of uncertainties in the whole Shiv Sena rebellion saga in Maharashtra. The number of MLAs who have walked out on the Uddhav Thackeray government is a mystery. As are the motivations of the rebels headed by minister Eknath Shinde.
Now, the rebel MLAs , in various media interactions, have made their grouse clear. It was less against Sena or Uddhav's leadership as it was against the coalition with NCP and Congress.
Speaking to a TV channel over phone, Maharashtra minister Sandipan Bhumare, who is among the dissidents, said, "We do not have any complaints against the Shiv Sena leadership. We have raised our complaints with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, that it was getting difficult to work with the NCP and Congress ministers. It was very difficult for us to get our proposals and work requests approved from their ministers."
To a query, Bhumare said he was given a cabinet portfolio and was satisfied with it. "What else do I need in life. But, as a people's representative, I need to address the grievances of my people. I could not do it properly because of these two alliance partners," he added.
Meanwhile, another dissident Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsath told a TV channel that 35 party legislators were in Guwahati. "A couple of more MLAs will join us by today evening. We also have the support of three independent MLAs," he claimed. Shirsath also targeted state NCP and Congress ministers and claimed their "hostile behaviour" forced the Sena legislators to revolt.
