A Shiv Sena meeting on Saturday authorised party president and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to act against the “traitor” MLAs and take legal recourse against any attempt by the rebels to use Balasaheb Thackeray’s name if they form a separate party.

Sena cadres on Saturday held violent protests across Maharashtra against the rebel MLAs, now sheltering in BJP-ruled Assam, who have endangered the party’s coalition government with the NCP and the Congress.

Having lost the bulk of its MLAs, the Sena has begun flexing its muscles to retain its political space in Maharashtra and to try and intimidate at least some of the rebels with its belligerent posturing.

Sena workers attacked the offices of the rebel MLAs and held demonstrations, warning the “traitors” of a strong public backlash.

“Our workers are agitated, asking us what to do. If they are not restrained, they will set the state on fire. But we have told them to be patient,” party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.

To mount pressure on the rebels, Maharashtra deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal — officiating in the absence of a Speaker — has issued notices to 16 of the MLAs to present their case against disqualification by 5.30pm on Monday.

The MLAs aren’t expected to be physically present and can submit their responses by mail. The rebels have, however, questioned the authority of the deputy Speaker, saying a no-confidence motion had already been moved against him. They have threatened to move court against the notices.

Six resolutions were passed at the meeting of Sena office-bearers that demonstrated that the party machinery was firmly behind the Thackeray family.

While Uddhav has been authorised to act against the rebels, it has been decided to take legal action against anyone outside the party who claims Balasaheb’s legacy for their politics.

This was a reaction to reports that the rebel group was planning to register a new party, to be called “Shiv Sena Balasaheb”.

However, the rebels have made a tactical retreat, saying they don’t need to either merge with any other party or form a new outfit because they are the real Shiv Sena.

One of the rebel MLAs, Deepak Kesarkar, addressed the media from Guwahati, saying: “We haven’t defected from the Shiv Sena. We have a two-thirds majority and elected a new leader in Eknath Shinde. They don’t have the majority and no right to take decisions.”

Kesarkar asked Uddhav to accept the new reality and discharge his responsibility as head of the Maharashtra government to stop the violence in the state.

Although Shinde had indicated that the rebels had the backing of a big power — an obvious allusion to the BJP — his group sang a new tune on Saturday, with the BJP apparently unwilling to own responsibility for the crisis yet.

One of the resolutions the Sena meeting passed asserted that the party hadn’t abandoned Hindutva and would continue to follow the philosophy of Balasaheb Thackeray.

A legal battle is now almost certain, and both sides are ready with their legal teams. The options before the rebels are limited: they will have to announce a merger with the BJP to avoid disqualification, and move a no-confidence motion.

The Sena leadership is waiting just for such a move, which will ensure that it retains the loyalty of the cadre and lower-rung leaders.