After losing the political battle of MLAs against the BJP and Eknath Shinde camp, Shivsena president Uddhav Thackeray is set to face a challenge from its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs. As per the sources, more than 12 of the total 18 Shiv Sena’s Lok Sabha MPs have met party chief Uddhav, demanding support for the NDA’s candidate Draupadi Murmu in the presidential polls.
Apart from demanding to support Draupadi Murmu, 8 Lok Sabha and 3 Rajya Sabha MPs of Shivsena have even demanded party president Uddhav Thackeray to patch up with the Eknath Shinde camp and allie with the Bharatiya Janata Party once again, to save the party and its future.
As per the sources, Uddhav Thackeray may soon hold a meeting of Shivsena MLAs and MPs to discuss on both these matters. Though, there is a political pressure on Thackeray from his own MPs now, due to which, he may consider their demands and once again plan to allie with the BJP.
On the other hand, amidst all these speculations, former CM and NCP chief Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of senior party leaders at YB Chavan Bhavan. As quoted by news agency ANI:
“Maharashtra | NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal & other party leaders arrive at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai for a meeting led by party chief Sharad Pawar”
As per the sources, Sharad Pawar is keeping a close eye on all the developments in the Shivsena. Though yesterday he said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance must be continued and that the Congress, NCP and Shivsena must fight the battle of 2024 Lok Sabha and assembly elections together, but the recent developments in Shivsena has led Sharad Pawar to think about a back-up plan incase Uddhav Thackeray again goes with the BJP in order to save his party.
