Shiv Sena Divide May Affect Presidential Polls, Favour Droupadi Murmu
NDTV
The Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray supported the candidature of joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. But the rebellion by Eknath Shinde can mean that some MPs of the party might vote for Draupadi Murmu.
The big divide in the Shiv Sena may have a spin-off effect on the Presidential polls in terms of voting by the party MPs. The Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray was part of the opposition deliberations and supported the candidature of joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. But the rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who is now the Maharashtra Chief Minister, can mean that some MPs of the party might vote for NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu.
There is no whip or Presidential elections and the MPs can vote according to their will.
Yesterday, a Shiv Sena MP has asked Mr Thackeray to vote for the NDA candidate. "In view of her (tribal) background and contribution to the social sector, I urge you to declare support to Murmu and accordingly give all Sena MPs the directions to do so," Sena MP Rahul Shewale wrote to Mr Thackeray.
The letter also indicated that more MPs from the party are likely to vote along with the rebels.
