Union minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that he lacked the support of sufficient MLAs in the Assembly in view of the revolt by Sena minister Eknath Shinde who is camping in Surat with some MLAs of his party.

Though Shinde is yet to spell out his stand, Rane, a former Shiv Sainik, said Shinde has taken an "appropriate decision" to separate from Shiv Sena. "Because of Shinde`s move, Uddhav Thackeray (who heads Shiv Sena) does not have the support of sufficient MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. He should tender his resignation," Rane demanded. Rane is the first Union minister and BJP leader to take a public stand over the issue. So far, several BJP leaders have been trading cautiously over Eknath Shinde`s decision to go incommunicado and camp in Surat with MLAs.