Maharashtra CM Shinde seeks appointment of new chief whip of Shiv Sena in Legislative Council

Currently, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLC Anil Parab is the party's chief whip in the House.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has written a letter to the State Legislative Council's deputy chairperson seeking that Viplove Bajoria be made the Shiv Sena's chief whip in the Upper House, a move apparently aimed at further cornering the faction led by former CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Currently, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLC Anil Parab is the party's chief whip in the House. Mr. Shinde has given the letter to State Legislative Council's deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, who is part of the Thackeray camp. The Budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began on February 27.

Bharat Gogawale, the Shiv Sena's chief whip in the State Assembly, on Sunday evening said, “We have issued a whip to all MLAs of the Shiv Sena asking them to remain present full-time during the Budget session. If any legislator does not follow it, he/she will face action." The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shinde bloc in the State currently does not have a majority in the Upper House.

Amid the high decibel political and legal battle between rival Shiv Sena groups, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar last week said he has not got representation from any group claiming to be a separate party in the Lower House.

The Speaker told PTI that there is only one Shiv Sena with 55 MLAs which is led by Mr. Shinde and legislator Bharat Gogawale has been recognised as its chief whip.

Mr. Narvekar has approved the appointment of Mr. Shinde as the legislature party leader. Speaking to reporters on February 28, Mr. Gogawale said, “We have given a letter asking the Legislative Council’s deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe to appoint Viplove Bajoria as the Shiv Sena’s chief whip in the House. Gorhe will have to accept it. Shinde is the Shiv Sena leader and accepting his letter to change the chief whip is the precedence.”