Maharashtra Police On High Alert As Shiv Sena Workers Might "Take To The Streets"

Earlier, an emotional Uddhav Thackeray told Shiv Sena workers that the rebels were "trying to break" the party

As the crisis for Uddhav Thackeray's government deepened on Friday, police in Maharashtra went on high alert in the evening after getting information that workers of the Shiv Sena might "take to the streets in large numbers".  All Police stations in Maharashtra, especially those in Mumbai, have been ordered to remain on high alert. Police received info that Shiv Sainiks can take to the streets in large numbers. To ensure that peace prevails, Police have been asked to remain alert: Maharashtra Police pic.twitter.com/V8QGL0NRYR

This came a short while after an emotional Uddhav Thackeray told party workers during a virtual meeting that the rebels were "trying to break" the Sena. "Without using the names of Shiv Sena and Thackeray, how will you move ahead?" Mr Thackeray said, targeting the rebels. Two days ago, a large number of Shiv Sainiks had gathered when Uddhav Thackeray left the official residence of chief minister to shift to his private house. 

Latest developments suggest that the rebel leader, Eknath Shinde, has the critical number of MLAs, 37, required to split the Shiv Sena in the assembly without falling foul of the anti-defection law.