MVA crisis: Posters on Eknath Shinde, but sans Uddhav Thackeray photo, plaster Thane

THANE: As the rebellion in the Shiv Sena balloons, support to its architect, Eknath Shinde, is growing rapidly in his stronghold Thane.
With Shinde being projected as the possible face of Sena, local functionaries are openly expressing their acceptance of his revolt through posters, banners and placards. It started on Wednesday, but many remained silent, unsure of their leanings.All misgivings seemed to have been swept aside on Thursday, with an outpouring of support.
Interestingly, most posters and banners across the city projected Shinde as the next Sena leader with images of Balasaheb Thackeray and Thane stalwart Anand Dighe while leaving out CM and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Perhaps they had taken the cue from Uddhav who had appealed to Sainiks on Wednesday to alert him if they didn't want him to continue.
Most of the banners were installed anonymously, with supporters clearly wary of attracting the ire of Matoshree. But a few threw in their lot with Shinde openly, including former corporator Yogesh Jankar from Kisan Nagar who openly congratulated and supported Shinde's decision and praised that his resolve was firm.
District Sena president and former Thane mayor Naresh Mhaske posted a support message for Shinde on his social media account leaving out Uddhav Thackeray's image. "All 65 Shiv Sena corporators from the previous board of Thane corporation are with Shinde sahib. He has not quit the party and we all have extended our support to him," Mhaske told TOI.
"A majority of leaders from Thane have been groomed by Shinde sahib and will always be loyal to him. We will support whatever decision he takes and will follow suit," said a Sena functionary from Thane.
However, Kedar Dighe, nephew of late Anand Dighe, appealed to Sainiks not to rebel and follow their leader's teaching on party loyalty and continue to accept Uddhav as their leader.