Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has issued an emotional appeal aimed at convincing the Shiv Sena rebels that their return will be heartily welcomed amid feedback of unease among some MLAs over the plan to merge with the BJP.

While there is no doubt that the coalition government has lost majority and the BJP is about to unveil a plan to form the government, Thackeray said: “Don’t fall prey to any misleading, false promise. The honour given to you by Shiv Sena cannot be found anywhere. If you come forward and speak with me, we will sort out the issues. As the head of the family being the Shiv Sena chief, I am still worried about you. Come and have a dialogue.”

Watering down the perceptions of hostilities created over the past few days because of belligerent posturing by leaders like Sanjay Raut, Thackeray added: “You (the rebel MLAs) have been stuck in Guwahati for the last few days. Every day new information is coming about you... many of you are in touch with us and you are still in Shiv Sena. Some of your family members also contacted me. I respect your feelings as the head of the Shiv Sena family. As the head, I tell you from the bottom of my heart... get rid of the confusion, there will be a definite way out of it, we will sit together and find a way out.”

Rebel leader Eknath Shinde, however, asserted that a misinformation campaign was going on about some of the MLAs being in touch with the Sena leadership. He said the entire flock was determined to execute the change and take Balasaheb Thackeray’s philosophy forward. Shinde said they would return to Mumbai soon, triggering speculation about the governor ordering a trust motion in the Assembly sooner than later. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis rushed to Delhi yet again on Tuesday, giving credence to the plan to initiate the process of an alternative government.

Raut warned Fadnavis not to get involved in Sena’s internal crisis. “If they do, then their party (BJP), Fadnavis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s names will be tarnished,” Raut said. This is ironical as Raut has accused the BJP of plotting this crisis from the very outset.

The Supreme Court has prevented the deputy Speaker from taking any coercive action till July 11 but refused to order a stay on bringing a no-confidence motion during this period. The coalition partners have decided to move the Supreme Court again if the BJP or the rebels bring a no-confidence motion or the governor orders the chief minister to take a trust vote.

Though there is strong resentment among the coalition partners who believe the Supreme Court order restraining disqualification proceedings helped the rebels, they have little space to manoeuvre now. The emotional appeal by the chief minister is a calculated move to ensure that the rebel camp loses some MLAs and their two-third strength is whittled down.