Mumbai: Latest reports claim that Shiv Sena has moved its MLAs to a hotel in Mumbai to avert poaching.

The political activities are gaining speed as deadline for government formation in Maharashtra (November 9) is fast approaching. It is said that the action was taken amid reports that a faction of Shiv Sena may break away to support its ally BJP. Shiv Sena started considering the defection factor seriously after BJP leaders held a meeting with Governor Bhagar Singh Koshyari.

"Our MLAs are committed to the party and do not need sequestering to keep them from defecting. No party will break in Maharashtra," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had said.

Earlier, as soon as news of Shiv Sena MLAs taken to hotel broke, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party MLAs at his residence in Mumbai.

The party had brushed aside news of resort politics as "rumours" while asserting that Shiv Sena legislators are committed to the party and there is no need to do so. Shiv Sena is apparently putting all its weight behind its demand of making Aaditya Thackeray as the chief minister of Maharashtra.

Reacting on the same, "There is no need for us to do this, our MLAs are firm in their resolve and committed to the party. Those who are spreading such rumours should worry about their MLAs first," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said earlier.

Despite the fact that deadline is fast approaching, Shiv Sena is not ready to settle for anything less than equal share in Cabinet portfolios and the chief minister's post for 2.5 years.

The BJP has emerged as the single largest party by winning 105 seats in the recently-held Assembly polls. The Shiv Sena got 56 seats in 288-member Vidhan Sabha.

Ahead of Shiv Sena MLAs' meet with Thackeray, Raut said legislators of his party and the opposition Congress and NCP "would not cross sides".