In Sena Rebel's Letter, A Reference To Sanjay Raut's NDTV Interview

The Maharashtra government, however, denied Eknath Shinde's charge that it had pulled security from the homes of rebel Shiv Sena leaders.

Dissident Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Saturday alleged that the Maharashtra government has withdrawn the security cover from the homes of 16 rebel legislators, including himself, and labelled the action "political vendetta". The Maharashtra government, however, promptly denied the charge.

Currently camping in Guwahati with the rebel legislators, Mr Shinde tweeted a letter signed by the 16 MLAs that is addressed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil.

The legislators said Mr Thackeray and the leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance will be responsible if any harm is caused to their family members.

Mr Shinde alleged that the security cover of the 16 rebel Sena legislators was withdrawn on the orders of Mr Thackeray and Mr Walse Patil due to "political vendetta". "The government is responsible for the security of these legislators," he added.