As Sena rebels float new group, Uddhav moves EC against misuse of Balasaheb’s name | Top points
India Today
The rebel Sena MLAs who are camping in Guwahati have indicated that they will act as a separate group in the Maharashtra Assembly. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has moved EC against the 'misuse' of Balasaheb's name. Here are the top points.
As the political crisis continues to unfold in Maharashtra, the rebel camp led by minister Eknath Shinde has floated an idea to form a group named 'Shiv Sena Balasaheb'. According to rebel MLA Deepak Vasant Kesarkar, no one from the rebel camp is going to quit Sena and denied reports of a merger with any other party.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray chaired a national executive meeting with Sena leaders, passed resolutions and moved the Election Commission (EC) to restrain any other political outfit or faction from using the name of Shiv Sena and its founder late Balasaheb Thackeray.
1) Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar said that the rebel group enjoys a two thirds majority in the legislature party, and has appointed senior Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde as their leader. Kesarkar said they have not left the Sena, but named their group as Shiv Sena (Balasaheb).
According to the rebel camp MLA, the Shinde faction will challenge in court the order of Maharashtra Assembly's Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal replacing Shinde as Shiv Sena group leader.
2) Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Saturday authorised the chief minister to take appropriate action against "those who have betrayed the party". The national executive condemned the rebel MLAs and said the party was firmly behind Uddhav Thackeray.
"Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena are two sides of the same coin and except Shiv Sena, no one can use his name," one of the six resolutions read.
3) According to sources, Shinde, who claims to have the support of over 40 MLAs, met BJP's Devendra Fadnavis in Gujarat's Vadodara last night to discuss possible government formation in Maharashtra. Home Minister Amit Shah was also in Vadodara last night, sources said.
