After the farewell of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, former CM and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has been facing the biggest challenge to save the party. Earlier, when 40 of the total 55 MLAs of Shiv Sena supported Eknath Shinde, the MVA government fell short of the majority.
Now, 12 of the total 18 Shiv Sena MPs have reportedly extended their support to Eknath Shinde camp, since the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha has been changed after these 12 MPs wrote to speaker Om Birla. Now the Election Commission has asked the Uddhav and Shinde Camps. The ECI would hear the claims made by both the factions after their replies are submitted.
As tweeted by the news agency ANI:
“The Election Commission of India asks both Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde to submit documentary evidence to prove that they have the majority members in the Shiv Sena.”
“Election Commission sends to Uddhav Thackeray camp the letter written to them (EC) by Eknath Shinde faction and Thackeray camp’s letter to the Shinde faction. Both factions are to file their replies by 8th August.”
Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, in a statement given to media, said:
“Election Commission wrote to us. We will take our stand in front of the Election Commission. We are Shiv Sena. We have 50 MLAs and in Lok Sabha, 2/3rd members are with us.”
As per the numbers, the trouble for Uddhav camp seems to be increasing. MP Rahul Shewale’s appointment as the new leader of Shiv Sena in Lok Sabha, is another major jolt to the Uddhav Thackeray faction. There were speculations that the Uddhav and Shinde camps would again come together, but with the recent developments, it doesn’t seem to be happening.
