In another setback for the Uddhav-Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, 12 Shiv Sena MPs supporting Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today and handed him a memorandum stating Rahul Shewale as Shiv Sena leader in Lok Sabha. “Speaker Om Birla has recognised Rahul Shewale as Shiv Sena leader in Lok Sabha,” Shinde said.
The meeting was highly anticipated after news of another major setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction as 12 of Sena’s 18 party MPs were reported on Monday to be in touch with Eknath Shinde over likely switching of sides.
The 12 Sena MPs supporting Shinde met Speaker at around 5 pm today. According to sources, the MPs have been in discussion with Shinde.
Shinde told reporters in Delhi that “12 of our MPs met the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and handed him a memorandum stating Rahul Shewale , MP, is the leader in the Lok Sabha.” He further said the party “contested together with the BJP in 2019 and now have come together according to the mandate given to Shiv Sena and BJP in 2019.” “We have the full support of our honourable PM Narendra Modi,” he said, adding the prime minister has “assured us of his full support to the people of Maharashtra.”
“We will work for the people of Maharashtra and the mandate given to us. For better coordination between States and Centre, both governments should have a similar ideology,” he said.
He further said, “Shiv Sena MPs too have supported us in our stand to uphold ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray.”
Rahul Shewale, the new Shiv Sena leader in Lok Sabha accused Uddhav Thackeray of going back to his word on reforming ties with the BJP. “Uddhav Thackeray was keen on realigning with BJP, but went back on his word,” he said. “We had asked Thackeray not to support Margaret Alva for VP’s post, but our views were ignored,” he added.
Shinde himself is in Delhi today, where he would meet senior BJP leaders. It is Shinde’s second visit to Delhi since assuming the office as Maharashtra CM on June 30. Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis visited the national capital on July 8 and 9 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president JP Nadda.
As per sources, these 12 MPs are — Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Sadashiv Lokhande, Hemant Godse, Hemant Patil, Rajendra Gavit, Sanjay Mandlik, Shrikant Shinde, Shrirang Barne, Rahul Shewale, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Krupal Tumane, Bhavna Gawli.
In another development, the Shinde-led faction on Monday held a meeting with Shiv Sena MLAs in Mumbai and passed a resolution electing him as the leader of Shiv Sena. In the meeting, 14 MLAs, who extended their support to Uddhav Thackeray during Eknath Shinde’s rebellion against the Sena leadership, also adopted resolutions for the appointment of executive members of the party.
Meanwhile, Thackeray has appointed over 100 new office-bearers in Mumbai, Palghar, Yavatmal, Amravati among other districts in a bid to rebuild the party’s organisational base and regain its hold in the state.
Latest Updates in Maharashtra Politics
-Shiv Sena MPs Meet Lok Sabha Speaker
The 12 breakaway Shiv Sena MPs were on their way to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid buzz over split in Sena’s parliamentary party.
-12 Rebel MPs Given Y-Lebel Security Cover
The 12 Lok Sabha MPs of Shiv Sena have been given Y-level security by the central and state government.
All MP residences and offices have been provided with security by paramilitary personnel. The decision came after an online meeting.
-Rebel MPs Likely to Meet Speaker Om Birla Today, Request About New Whip and Group Leader.
The 12 MPs of Shiv Sena who are likely to switch to the Eknath Shinde camp are expected to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Delhi today and make a request before him for a new whip and group leader.
The Eknath Shinde group wants Sena’s Mumbai MP Rahul Shewale to be the group leader and Bhavana Gawli to be the chief whip, sources said.
Ekanth Shinde met the rebel MPs after reaching Delhi late last night.
Bhavana Gawli had written a letter to Uddhav Thackeray, seeking leniency against the MLAs who had rebelled and seeking a patch-up with the BJP. Rahul Shewale had requested for support to NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu
-Big Blow for Uddhav Camp as 12 Shiv Sena MPs in Touch With Eknath Shinde, Likely to Cross Over: Sources
In another jolt to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, 12 party MPs are in touch with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and are likely to switch sides to his camp. Sources said all the 12 MPs will be in Delhi today and will hold a press conference about their probable switch.
Shinde himself is in Delhi today, where he would meet senior BJP leaders. It will be Shinde’s second visit to Delhi since assuming the office as Maharashtra CM on June 30. Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadanvis had visited New Delhi on July 8 and 9 and had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda.
The Shiv Sena has 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha.
As per sources, the 12 MPs in touch with Shinde are — Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Sadashiv Lokhande, Hemant Godse, Hemant Patil, Rajendra Gavit, Sanjay Mandlik, Shrikant Shinde, Shrirang Barne, Rahul Shewale, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Krupal Tumane, Bhavna Gawli.
-Shinde appointed leader of Shiv Sena, Dissolves National Executive Formed By Uddhav
The Eknath Shinde-led faction on Monday held a meeting with Shiv Sena MLAs in Mumbai and passed a resolution electing him as the leader of Shiv Sena. In the meeting, 14 MLAs, who extended their support to Uddhav Thackeray during Eknath Shinde’s rebellion against the Sena leadership, also reportedly adopted resolutions for the appointment of executive members of the party.
After the meeting, the Shinde faction announced the formation of a new national executive of Shiv Sena and dissolution of the earlier executive formed by Uddhav Thackeray.
While Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde was elected as the chief leader of the party, Shiv Sena party chief, a post held by Uddhav Thackeray, has not been dissolved yet.
MLA Deepak Kesarkar was appointed as a spokesperson and Ramdas Kadam and ex-MP Anandrao Adsul were appointed as leaders of the Shiv Sena party after they were sacked by Uddhav Thackeray.
Both the leaders were immediately picked by the Shinde, who claimed that his faction is the “real” Shiv Sena.
Yashwant Jadhav, Gulabrao Patil, Uday Samant, Sharad Ponkshe, Tanaji Sawant, Vijay Nahata, Shivajirao Adharao Patil were appointed as deputy leaders.
-Uddhav Expels Sena Leaders
Uddhav Thackeray on Monday, meanwhile, expelled two senior leaders and ex-ministers for alleged anti-party activities. The expelled leaders are former state minister Ramdas Kadam and former Union minister Anandrao Adsul, who have been accused of indulging in anti-party activities as the ground for their expulsion.
Earlier on Monday, Kadam, whose MLA son Yogesh Kadam had joined the Shinde camp last month, had tendered his resignation as the deputy leader of Shiv Sena. In his resignation letter, he said that after the demise of Balasaheb Thackeray, the post of deputy leader had lost value and also highlighted how he and his son were harassed by the party leadership.
(with inputs from wires)
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