Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his team are now preparing to take on Eknath Shinde and his camp legally, with Shiv Sena counsel Devdutt Kamat saying that the two-thirds majority – required to dodge the anti-defection law – in the rebel group will apply only if there is a merger.

Shinde is camping in Guwahati and claims the support of over 40 Shiv Sena and Independent MLAs. The rebel ranks swelled further on Sunday as Maharashtra minister Uday Samant landed in Guwahati to join the group.  Rebel MLA Deepak Kesarkar said the group enjoys a two-thirds majority in the legislature party and will prove its strength in the House but will not merge with any other political party.