Eknath Shinde stakes claim over all of Shiv Sena
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approached the Election Commission of India (EC), in what may be considered as the final bid to stake claim over all of Shiv Sena.
In a letter to the EC, Shinde’s faction states that a majority of Shiv Sena leaders have come together and formed new executive body after dissolving the one appointed by Uddhav Thackeray.
A group of Shiv Sena MPs on Monday attended a virtual meeting of the “national executive” chaired by Eknath Shinde. The national executive, called by the rebel group ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on July 20, also appointed Shinde as the “chief leader” of the party.
This came about after a break in the Shiv Sena ranks in Parliament saw 12 of its 19 Lok Sabha members shifting allegiance to Shinde and declaring two-term member Rahul Shewale as their leader in the Lower House.
Amid the ongoing tussle over the “real Shiv Sena”, Uddhav Thackeray’s camp has already filed a caveat before the EC, asking to be heard if any plea is filed in regard to the Sena by any party. In the caveat, the Thackeray faction requested the poll panel to not pass any order or decision before hearing it.