Maharashtra crisis: Shinde-led rebel camp seeks recognition for new party called Shiv Sena (Balasaheb)
India Today
The Shinde-led rebel camp on Saturday sought recognition for a new party called Shiv Sena (Balasaheb) amid the ongoing political drama in Maharashtra.
As the war between the two factions - Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and rebel Sena leader Eknath Shinde - deepens, the Shinde camp on Saturday announced the decision to float a separate party called 'Shiv Sena (Balasaheb)', which will be named after Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Rebel Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar told India Today, "The Shinde group will form a new party named after Balasaheb Thackeray. The party will be called Shiv Sena (Balasaheb)."
Kesarkar has also hinted at a possible alliance with the BJP. "We have only two options remaining in Maharashtra; to go with either the NCP-Congress or the BJP, otherwise the government cannot be formed. However, the question of allying with the BJP will be decided by Eknath Shinde. Whatever decision he takes, we will support it."
Shinde has already sent a letter to the Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Kesarkar said.
On the other hand, Maharashtra CM is holding a key meeting of the All Sena National Executives at Sena Bhavan today as the two camps showed no signs of heading towards a resolution.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal rejected the no-confidence motion moved against him by the Shinde camp, stating that the letter was sent via a random email address and no MLA had submitted it to the office. According to sources, there were no original signatures on the letter, which became another reason for the rejection.
