Strongly accusing Rane and Sawant of amassing wealth in Goa at the expense of the party, Naik has accused Thackeray of shielding them. ``They should have known that they were growing because of the party, but didn't want to share even two per cent of their money with the party in Goa,'' Naik says.

According to him, complaints to Thackeray did not yeild any results. While Naik quit the Sena two months ago, party office-bearers led by Shyam Sunder Nagvekar, deputy chief of the party's state unit, left the party on Thursday. ``More Sainiks will quit in the next few days,'' Naik told Express Newsline.

The latest flashpoint in the Goa Shiv Sena occured after Thackeray appointed Sanjay Harmalkar as the state chief in place of Naik. A group of Sainiks from Goa met Thackeray late last month in Mumbai but received no explanation from him as to Harmalkar's appointment. The rebels claim that Harmalkar, a rank outsider, was appointted overruling the claims of several `loyal' Sainiks.

The Shiv Sena, which was established in Goa 10 years ago, is yet to bag a seat in the Legislative Assembly though it has representation in local self-government bodies. The rise of the Sena has, however, led to complaints of anti-social activities against the party. The rebels, however, blame the existing party set-up for the same.

Naik, who said he is considering joining like-minded parties, however did not elaborate. He insists that all the breakaway Shiv Sainiks are with him and they would function as a group.