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Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Maharashtra Governor has insulted Marathis: Uddhav Thackeray

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: The former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said that he has insulted the Marathis and their pride and that he is trying to divide the society on the basis of community.

    Uddhav Thackeray said, “I do not want to insult someone sitting on the post of Governor. I respect the chair but Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathis and there is anger among the people. Governor is trying to divide the society on the basis of religion, he is crossing every limit.”

    “The Governor is the messenger of the President, he takes the words of the President throughout the country. But if he does the same mistakes, then who will take action against him? He has insulted the Marathis and their pride,” Uddhav added.

    Shiv Sena Chief’s comment came as a reaction to the Maharashtra Governor Koshyari when he had created a controversy by stating that, if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were removed from Maharashtra, then Mumbai will no longer remain the financial capital of the country.

    During a speech at an event held to name a chowk after the late Shantideva Champalalji Kothari in Mumbai’s Andheri on Friday, Koshyari said, “Sometimes I tell people in Maharashtra that if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are removed from here, then you will be left with no money. You call Mumbai the financial capital, but if these people of both these states are not here, then it won’t be called financial capital.”

    The statement, however, triggered a political storm with many claiming that the sentiments of the Marathi people were hurried and their contribution ignored. Many political leaders took to Twitter to oppose the governor’s statement. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Koshyari’s speech was an insult to the people of Maharashtra. He urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to condemn the statement.

    “The Marathi man gets insulted as soon as a BJP-sponsored Chief Minister is in power. CM Shinde should, at least, condemn the Governor. This is an insult to Marathi hard-working people,” Raut said in a tweet on Saturday.

    In another tweet, Raut said, “Chief Minister Shinde, are you listening? That your Maharashtra is different. If you have self-respect, then seek the resignation of the governor.”

    MUMBAI: The former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and said that he has insulted the Marathis and their pride and that he is trying to divide the society on the basis of community.

    Uddhav Thackeray said, “I do not want to insult someone sitting on the post of Governor. I respect the chair but Bhagat Singh Koshyari insulted Marathis and there is anger among the people. Governor is trying to divide the society on the basis of religion, he is crossing every limit.”

    “The Governor is the messenger of the President, he takes the words of the President throughout the country. But if he does the same mistakes, then who will take action against him? He has insulted the Marathis and their pride,” Uddhav added.

    Shiv Sena Chief’s comment came as a reaction to the Maharashtra Governor Koshyari when he had created a controversy by stating that, if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis were removed from Maharashtra, then Mumbai will no longer remain the financial capital of the country.

    During a speech at an event held to name a chowk after the late Shantideva Champalalji Kothari in Mumbai’s Andheri on Friday, Koshyari said, “Sometimes I tell people in Maharashtra that if Gujarati and Rajasthani people are removed from here, then you will be left with no money. You call Mumbai the financial capital, but if these people of both these states are not here, then it won’t be called financial capital.”

    The statement, however, triggered a political storm with many claiming that the sentiments of the Marathi people were hurried and their contribution ignored. Many political leaders took to Twitter to oppose the governor’s statement. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Koshyari’s speech was an insult to the people of Maharashtra. He urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to condemn the statement.

    “The Marathi man gets insulted as soon as a BJP-sponsored Chief Minister is in power. CM Shinde should, at least, condemn the Governor. This is an insult to Marathi hard-working people,” Raut said in a tweet on Saturday.

    In another tweet, Raut said, “Chief Minister Shinde, are you listening? That your Maharashtra is different. If you have self-respect, then seek the resignation of the governor.”

  • There will be an earthquake if I start speaking, says Maharashtra CM Shinde

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a veiled warning to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said there will be an “earthquake” if he started speaking.

    Questioning Thackeray’s decision to join hands with the NCP and Congress, Shinde also said he knew what happened to late Sena leader Anand Dighe.

    “I was witness to what happened with `Dharmaveer’,” said Shinde, referring to Dighe, a fiery Shiv Sena leader and his mentor who died following a road accident in 2002.

    Thackeray, who resigned as chief minister in June after Shinde rebelled against him along with the majority of Shiv Sena MLAs, has often dubbed the rebels as “traitors.” Speaking at a rally at Malegaon, Shinde said he rebelled as he wanted to “protect Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.”

    “There will be an earthquake if I start giving interviews….Unlike some people, I never travelled abroad every year for holidays. Shiv Sena and its growth were the only things on my mind,” he said.

    The late Shiv Sena founder’s daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray and his eldest grandson Nihar Thackeray have supported him, Shinde noted. Without naming Uddhav, he said rebel legislators were being called traitors.

    “What do you call those who compromise with Balasaheb’s ideology just to become chief minister?” he asked.

    “You fight elections in alliance with BJP and then form a government with Congress and NCP to become chief minister. Isn’t this a betrayal,” Shinde further asked.

    The Sena faction led by him and BJP would together win 200 out of 288 seats in the next Assembly elections, he claimed.

    NEW DELHI: In a veiled warning to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said there will be an “earthquake” if he started speaking.

    Questioning Thackeray’s decision to join hands with the NCP and Congress, Shinde also said he knew what happened to late Sena leader Anand Dighe.

    “I was witness to what happened with `Dharmaveer’,” said Shinde, referring to Dighe, a fiery Shiv Sena leader and his mentor who died following a road accident in 2002.

    Thackeray, who resigned as chief minister in June after Shinde rebelled against him along with the majority of Shiv Sena MLAs, has often dubbed the rebels as “traitors.” Speaking at a rally at Malegaon, Shinde said he rebelled as he wanted to “protect Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.”

    “There will be an earthquake if I start giving interviews….Unlike some people, I never travelled abroad every year for holidays. Shiv Sena and its growth were the only things on my mind,” he said.

    The late Shiv Sena founder’s daughter-in-law Smita Thackeray and his eldest grandson Nihar Thackeray have supported him, Shinde noted. Without naming Uddhav, he said rebel legislators were being called traitors.

    “What do you call those who compromise with Balasaheb’s ideology just to become chief minister?” he asked.

    “You fight elections in alliance with BJP and then form a government with Congress and NCP to become chief minister. Isn’t this a betrayal,” Shinde further asked.

    The Sena faction led by him and BJP would together win 200 out of 288 seats in the next Assembly elections, he claimed.

  • Shinde appoints secretaries, treasurer and spokespersons for his Shiv Sena faction

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday made new appointments for the Shiv Sena faction led by him.

    Trade union leader Kiran Pawaskar and Sanjay more were appointed as party secretaries, while Deepak Kesarkar, Uday Samant, Gulabrao Patil and Sheetal Mhatre were appointed as spokespersons, a release from his office said.

    Balaji Kinikar was appointed as treasurer, it added.

    Shinde rebelled against Shiv Sena president and then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last month which led to the downfall of the Thackeray-led government.

    The Shinde-led faction has approached the Election Commission, seeking recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday made new appointments for the Shiv Sena faction led by him.

    Trade union leader Kiran Pawaskar and Sanjay more were appointed as party secretaries, while Deepak Kesarkar, Uday Samant, Gulabrao Patil and Sheetal Mhatre were appointed as spokespersons, a release from his office said.

    Balaji Kinikar was appointed as treasurer, it added.

    Shinde rebelled against Shiv Sena president and then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last month which led to the downfall of the Thackeray-led government.

    The Shinde-led faction has approached the Election Commission, seeking recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

  • Shinde was given second position in party, but he betrayed and toppled his government: Thackeray  

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in an interview with his party mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday said when he was hospitalised for spine surgery and under anaesthesia, his body parts were not moving, but his own people – rebelled MLAs, who were given everything was plotting against him to topple his government.

    In the first interview, after a major revolt of Shiv Sena MLAs, Thackeray spoke with Shiv Sena leader and Editor of Saamana Sanjay Raut that the hunger and greediness for the power of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp are insatiable and he had given the number two position in government and party.

    Coming heavily on Shinda, Thackeray said, “Shinde is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, now he wants to gobble up his mother party – Shiv Sena. This is demon-like greediness that no one can satisfy.” 

    “He wants to be the Shiv Sena president. So, even if we had given him the Chief Minister post, he would not have stopped there. Sena has faced many revolts, but no one tried and succeeded to finish their mother-party Shiv Sena, but here they want to finish Shiv Sena with the help of the BJP. I will not blame him or these rebelled MLAs, but it is my fault that I trusted and believed them blindly like our family members. And they conspired against me when I was in the hospital,” he said.

    “When I was in the hospital for spine surgery, some people were praying for my health and others were praying that he stayed unwell so that they can grab the Shiv Sena and Chief Minister post. They broke my trust,” he added.

    Thackeray commenting on the rebellion Sena MLAs act said that these rebels are like rotten leaves of a tree. “After sucking the mother tree, these rotten leaves left the tree. Once these rotten and discarded leaves are gone, the tree looks bare and people call it the end of tree life. But after a few days, the same tree gets fresh leaves. Like that, Sena will emerge with new leadership. Shiv Sainik has the power to make ordinary people extraordinary and extraordinary into common people,” Thackeray said.

    He added, “After this revolt, many senior Sena leaders who worked with Balasaheb Thackeray are coming to meet him and giving blessings for their stand.”

    “I wanted to question those who are now screaming over Hindutva. In 2014, when BJP broke an alliance with Shiv Sena, did we leave Hindutva? No, we didn’t,” he said. 

    Thackeray without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “After Godra, everyone was against him, but Balasaheb Thackeray stood with him only because of Hindutva ideology and the same person wants to finish the Shiv Sena with the help of rebelled Shiv Sena MLAs.”

    “What should we call it,” Thackeray questioned. He said they want to steal his Shiv Sena and his father’s legacy as well. “They have betrayed me, split the party. The (rebels) should take the blessings of their own parents and campaign, give speeches and seek votes. Why are they stealing my father? You have no dedication, no sense of duty, no courage? You are a traitor,” he said.

    “I dare them to try and separate Thackeray and Shiv Sena. If they claim they are right by breaking Shiv Sena, then let’s face the fresh elections, let’s go to the public court where their decision will be final. If people reject us, then we are ready to sit at home as well,” he said.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that they were called rotten leaves of the tree, but these same leaves formed the government. While deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it was a fixed interview so he will not comment much on the fixed match.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in an interview with his party mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday said when he was hospitalised for spine surgery and under anaesthesia, his body parts were not moving, but his own people – rebelled MLAs, who were given everything was plotting against him to topple his government.

    In the first interview, after a major revolt of Shiv Sena MLAs, Thackeray spoke with Shiv Sena leader and Editor of Saamana Sanjay Raut that the hunger and greediness for the power of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp are insatiable and he had given the number two position in government and party.

    Coming heavily on Shinda, Thackeray said, “Shinde is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, now he wants to gobble up his mother party – Shiv Sena. This is demon-like greediness that no one can satisfy.” 

    “He wants to be the Shiv Sena president. So, even if we had given him the Chief Minister post, he would not have stopped there. Sena has faced many revolts, but no one tried and succeeded to finish their mother-party Shiv Sena, but here they want to finish Shiv Sena with the help of the BJP. I will not blame him or these rebelled MLAs, but it is my fault that I trusted and believed them blindly like our family members. And they conspired against me when I was in the hospital,” he said.

    “When I was in the hospital for spine surgery, some people were praying for my health and others were praying that he stayed unwell so that they can grab the Shiv Sena and Chief Minister post. They broke my trust,” he added.

    Thackeray commenting on the rebellion Sena MLAs act said that these rebels are like rotten leaves of a tree. “After sucking the mother tree, these rotten leaves left the tree. Once these rotten and discarded leaves are gone, the tree looks bare and people call it the end of tree life. But after a few days, the same tree gets fresh leaves. Like that, Sena will emerge with new leadership. Shiv Sainik has the power to make ordinary people extraordinary and extraordinary into common people,” Thackeray said.

    He added, “After this revolt, many senior Sena leaders who worked with Balasaheb Thackeray are coming to meet him and giving blessings for their stand.”

    “I wanted to question those who are now screaming over Hindutva. In 2014, when BJP broke an alliance with Shiv Sena, did we leave Hindutva? No, we didn’t,” he said. 

    Thackeray without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “After Godra, everyone was against him, but Balasaheb Thackeray stood with him only because of Hindutva ideology and the same person wants to finish the Shiv Sena with the help of rebelled Shiv Sena MLAs.”

    “What should we call it,” Thackeray questioned. He said they want to steal his Shiv Sena and his father’s legacy as well. “They have betrayed me, split the party. The (rebels) should take the blessings of their own parents and campaign, give speeches and seek votes. Why are they stealing my father? You have no dedication, no sense of duty, no courage? You are a traitor,” he said.

    “I dare them to try and separate Thackeray and Shiv Sena. If they claim they are right by breaking Shiv Sena, then let’s face the fresh elections, let’s go to the public court where their decision will be final. If people reject us, then we are ready to sit at home as well,” he said.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that they were called rotten leaves of the tree, but these same leaves formed the government. While deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it was a fixed interview so he will not comment much on the fixed match.

  • Fight for Shiv Sena symbol: SC to hear on August 1 Uddhav faction’s plea against EC proceedings

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on August 1 a fresh plea by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction against Election Commission proceedings on a petition by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli was urged by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Uddhav Thackeray faction, that the ongoing proceedings before the poll panel needed to be stayed as it would impact the hearing here in the case.

    The top court said it would tag the fresh plea and hear it together with pending ones on August 1.

    ALSO READ | Uddhav likens Shiv Sena rebels to ‘rotten leaves’, pitches for mid-term polls

    Recently, the poll panel asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on August 1 a fresh plea by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction against Election Commission proceedings on a petition by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli was urged by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Uddhav Thackeray faction, that the ongoing proceedings before the poll panel needed to be stayed as it would impact the hearing here in the case.

    The top court said it would tag the fresh plea and hear it together with pending ones on August 1.

    ALSO READ | Uddhav likens Shiv Sena rebels to ‘rotten leaves’, pitches for mid-term polls

    Recently, the poll panel asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

  • Shiv Sena faction war: Uddhav group moves SC against bid of Shinde camp to stake claim over party, symbol

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the proceedings of the Election Commission on the plea of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    The development assumes significance as recently the poll panel has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    The fresh plea has been filed in a pending petition by Subhash Desai, the general secretary of the Shiv Sena and seeks the nod of the top court to make the poll panel also a party.

    The Thackeray faction has also written to the poll panel requesting it not to go ahead with the plea of the Shinde faction in view of the pendency of a batch of petitions in the top court.

    The plea terms the plea of the rival Shinde group to get the poll symbol and the tag of the real Shiv Sena as an act of “desperation”.

    The Thackeray group filed a representation before the EC last week after the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    ALSO READ | ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    The top court on July 20 had said the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis raised constitutional issues including split, the merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification which may require consideration by a larger bench.

    The bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked the Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of the Thackeray faction as sought by the Shinde group on grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and the election of the speaker.

    The bench is seized of as many as six pending pleas about the recent political crisis in Maharashtra that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

    The first one was filed by the Shinde faction during the summer vacation when some rebel Sena MLAs moved before it challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the deputy speaker.

    The rest five pleas have been filed by the Thackeray faction.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30 with the support of the BJP.

    NEW DELHI: The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the proceedings of the Election Commission on the plea of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group for recognition as the real Shiv Sena.

    The development assumes significance as recently the poll panel has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena led by Thackeray and Shinde to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol — bow and arrow — of the political outfit.

    The poll panel sources had said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of rival factions.

    The fresh plea has been filed in a pending petition by Subhash Desai, the general secretary of the Shiv Sena and seeks the nod of the top court to make the poll panel also a party.

    The Thackeray faction has also written to the poll panel requesting it not to go ahead with the plea of the Shinde faction in view of the pendency of a batch of petitions in the top court.

    The plea terms the plea of the rival Shinde group to get the poll symbol and the tag of the real Shiv Sena as an act of “desperation”.

    The Thackeray group filed a representation before the EC last week after the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    ALSO READ | ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    The top court on July 20 had said the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs during the recent Maharashtra political crisis raised constitutional issues including split, the merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification which may require consideration by a larger bench.

    The bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked the Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of the Thackeray faction as sought by the Shinde group on grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and the election of the speaker.

    The bench is seized of as many as six pending pleas about the recent political crisis in Maharashtra that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

    The first one was filed by the Shinde faction during the summer vacation when some rebel Sena MLAs moved before it challenging the disqualification proceedings initiated by the deputy speaker.

    The rest five pleas have been filed by the Thackeray faction.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30 with the support of the BJP.

  • ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said unlike previous rebellions in the party, the revolt this time was aimed at “finishing off” the Sena.

    The Sena indulges in politics for Hindutva, whereas the BJP uses Hindutva for its political interests, Thackeray claimed while addressing the Sena workers on Sunday after inaugurating a ward-level party office in south Mumbai.

    Last month, Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators revolted against the party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Shinde was on June 30 sworn in as the chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the deputy CM.

    “Unlike the earlier rebellions, this coup is to finish off the Shiv Sena forever. They have hired professional agencies to counter us. This is a battle between money and loyalty,” Thackeray said.

    Thackeray, who will turn 62 on July 27, said this time he does not want bouquets on his birthday, but affidavits from the Sena workers that they trust the party and more and more registrations of people as party members.

    “The battle is now also taken to the Election Commission of India, claiming they are the original Shiv Sena. We need not just vigour, but staunch support and registration of people as party members,” Thackeray said.

    ALSO READ | Amid continuous attack from Shinde camp, Uddhav seeks loyalty proof from Shiv Sena cadre

    The former chief minister, without taking any name, targeted his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray, who had reportedly said he would consider allowing the 40 Sena rebel MLAs to merge into his party if needed.

    “I know there is an offer made to these people. I do not know what type of ‘chemical locha’ (imbalance) is this, but these people have no idea whom they have messed up with,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

    Referring to the rebel MLAs, he said, “I do not know what to call you.”

    To this, the crowd shouted “traitors”.

    The Sena chief then said, “This is the stamp on their head and they will have to carry it with them wherever they go. They have earned it by their own actions. Despite being representatives of people, they are moving around with protection from the central government.”

    “The Sena turned ordinary people into extra-ordinary” and that is how these 40 (rebel) MLAs won the election.

    Now it is time to repeat it with a new set of Shiv Sena workers, he said.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said unlike previous rebellions in the party, the revolt this time was aimed at “finishing off” the Sena.

    The Sena indulges in politics for Hindutva, whereas the BJP uses Hindutva for its political interests, Thackeray claimed while addressing the Sena workers on Sunday after inaugurating a ward-level party office in south Mumbai.

    Last month, Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators revolted against the party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Shinde was on June 30 sworn in as the chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the deputy CM.

    “Unlike the earlier rebellions, this coup is to finish off the Shiv Sena forever. They have hired professional agencies to counter us. This is a battle between money and loyalty,” Thackeray said.

    Thackeray, who will turn 62 on July 27, said this time he does not want bouquets on his birthday, but affidavits from the Sena workers that they trust the party and more and more registrations of people as party members.

    “The battle is now also taken to the Election Commission of India, claiming they are the original Shiv Sena. We need not just vigour, but staunch support and registration of people as party members,” Thackeray said.

    ALSO READ | Amid continuous attack from Shinde camp, Uddhav seeks loyalty proof from Shiv Sena cadre

    The former chief minister, without taking any name, targeted his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray, who had reportedly said he would consider allowing the 40 Sena rebel MLAs to merge into his party if needed.

    “I know there is an offer made to these people. I do not know what type of ‘chemical locha’ (imbalance) is this, but these people have no idea whom they have messed up with,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

    Referring to the rebel MLAs, he said, “I do not know what to call you.”

    To this, the crowd shouted “traitors”.

    The Sena chief then said, “This is the stamp on their head and they will have to carry it with them wherever they go. They have earned it by their own actions. Despite being representatives of people, they are moving around with protection from the central government.”

    “The Sena turned ordinary people into extra-ordinary” and that is how these 40 (rebel) MLAs won the election.

    Now it is time to repeat it with a new set of Shiv Sena workers, he said.

  • Uddhav vs Shinde: EC takes note of fight over Shiv Sena symbol, seeks submissions by August 8

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol of the political outfit.

    Election Commission sources said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of the rival factions.

    They said the requirement were made in line with the Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    Earlier this week, the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 30 with support of the BJP.

    On Tuesday last, at least 12 of the 18 Shiv Sena members in the Lok Sabha expressed ‘no confidence’ in floor leader Vinayak Raut and declared Rahul Shewale as their floor leader.

    Lok Sabha Speaker recognised Shewale as the leader the same day.

    To ensure that neither faction is deprived of information, the poll panel has also directed exchange of documents submitted by the two groups over the past two days.

    “This is the initial step, checking may come much later,” explained a former EC official.

    The claim over the symbol assumes significance as the Supreme Court had on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to notify elections to local bodies within two weeks.

    Elections are due in several civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which would indicate which Sena faction gets the popular support.

    Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the EC, requesting it to hear its views before making any decision on representations for claims over the party name and its poll symbol.

    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has asked the rival factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims on the election symbol of the political outfit.

    Election Commission sources said the two sides have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the party and the written statements of the rival factions.

    They said the requirement were made in line with the Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.

    Earlier this week, the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the Commission seeking allocation of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol to it, citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and the Maharashtra Assembly.

    The Shiv Sena split last month when more than two-thirds of the party’s MLAs withdrew their support from the Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray, throwing their lot with Shinde.

    Shinde was sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister on June 30 with support of the BJP.

    On Tuesday last, at least 12 of the 18 Shiv Sena members in the Lok Sabha expressed ‘no confidence’ in floor leader Vinayak Raut and declared Rahul Shewale as their floor leader.

    Lok Sabha Speaker recognised Shewale as the leader the same day.

    To ensure that neither faction is deprived of information, the poll panel has also directed exchange of documents submitted by the two groups over the past two days.

    “This is the initial step, checking may come much later,” explained a former EC official.

    The claim over the symbol assumes significance as the Supreme Court had on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to notify elections to local bodies within two weeks.

    Elections are due in several civic bodies in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which would indicate which Sena faction gets the popular support.

    Earlier, the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena had written to the EC, requesting it to hear its views before making any decision on representations for claims over the party name and its poll symbol.

  • ‘Uddhav not a face for 2024 Lok Sabha polls’: Shiv Sena rebel MP Rahul Shewale

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rebel Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale on Thursday said Uddhav Thackeray was not a “winnable” face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election and it was imperative for them to tie up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    The issue of leadership for the next Lok Sabha polls came up during several meetings the now-rebel leaders had with Thackeray in the run-up to a split in the Shiv Sena, Shewale, who was named as the leader of the party in the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday, told PTI.

    “I raised the issue of leadership for the Lok Sabha election during a meeting with Thackeray. Sanjay Raut, who was also present, gestured towards Thackeray as the face for the election. I told him that we respect Thackeray but we have to be realistic. He cannot be the face for the Lok Sabha polls,” he said.

    Shewale said the Shiv Sena’s alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress had further complicated matters as the parties were rivals in several constituencies.

    “Furthermore, the UPA would contest elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, which will not be acceptable for our cadre,” Shewale said.

    Shewale and 11 other Lok Sabha members have shifted their allegiance to Sena rebel Eknath Shinde, who was appointed the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30, after Thackeray quit the post due to a large-scale rebellion in the Shiv Sena ranks.

    Shewale insisted that a large number of Sena leaders were in favour of an alliance with the BJP and keen to contest the next Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    He said Shiv Sena leaders began to feel insecure within the party when the leadership offered key Lok Sabha constituencies to the NCP during discussions for the general election.

    “Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, who lost to the NCP’s Amol Kolhe from Shirur, was asked to shift to the Pune Lok Sabha seat, while the Maval seat, won by the Sena’s Shrirang Appa Barne, was offered to Parth Pawar, the son of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar,” Shewale said.

    He reiterated the claims that Thackeray was keen on reviving the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition and had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Delhi in June last year.

    Shewale did not rule out a patch up between the two rival factions of the Shiv Sena should some incident, such as the Balakot airstrikes, takes place in the future, which could lead to an upsurge of nationalism.

    “There was also a proposal of Thackeray leading the party and Shinde as the leader of the government. But it did not work out,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Rebel Shiv Sena leader Rahul Shewale on Thursday said Uddhav Thackeray was not a “winnable” face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election and it was imperative for them to tie up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    The issue of leadership for the next Lok Sabha polls came up during several meetings the now-rebel leaders had with Thackeray in the run-up to a split in the Shiv Sena, Shewale, who was named as the leader of the party in the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday, told PTI.

    “I raised the issue of leadership for the Lok Sabha election during a meeting with Thackeray. Sanjay Raut, who was also present, gestured towards Thackeray as the face for the election. I told him that we respect Thackeray but we have to be realistic. He cannot be the face for the Lok Sabha polls,” he said.

    Shewale said the Shiv Sena’s alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress had further complicated matters as the parties were rivals in several constituencies.

    “Furthermore, the UPA would contest elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, which will not be acceptable for our cadre,” Shewale said.

    Shewale and 11 other Lok Sabha members have shifted their allegiance to Sena rebel Eknath Shinde, who was appointed the Maharashtra chief minister on June 30, after Thackeray quit the post due to a large-scale rebellion in the Shiv Sena ranks.

    Shewale insisted that a large number of Sena leaders were in favour of an alliance with the BJP and keen to contest the next Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    He said Shiv Sena leaders began to feel insecure within the party when the leadership offered key Lok Sabha constituencies to the NCP during discussions for the general election.

    “Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, who lost to the NCP’s Amol Kolhe from Shirur, was asked to shift to the Pune Lok Sabha seat, while the Maval seat, won by the Sena’s Shrirang Appa Barne, was offered to Parth Pawar, the son of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar,” Shewale said.

    He reiterated the claims that Thackeray was keen on reviving the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition and had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Delhi in June last year.

    Shewale did not rule out a patch up between the two rival factions of the Shiv Sena should some incident, such as the Balakot airstrikes, takes place in the future, which could lead to an upsurge of nationalism.

    “There was also a proposal of Thackeray leading the party and Shinde as the leader of the government. But it did not work out,” he said.

  • ‘Uddhav wished to join NDA last year,’ claims Sena MP Rahul Shewale

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Lok Sabha’s MP Rahul Shewale on Tuesday alleged that in June 2021, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which lasted over an hour.

    The leaders had then arrived at a decision for a Sena-BJP alliance again in Maharashtra, but Uddhav backtracked later. The suspension of 12 BJP MLAs in the monsoon session of the Assembly spoiled the plan. 

    The BJP MLAs had been suspended from the Maharashtra assembly for one year over alleged misbehavior with the presiding officer.

    he queried.

    While accusing Uddhav Thackeray of going back on his word on reforming ties with the BJP, Shewale claimed, “Uddhavji had agreed to form an alliance with the BJP. But after 12 BJP MLAs were suspended, that plan then did not go through. When we suggested an alliance with the BJP, Uddhavji said, ‘I have tried’. So why don’t you try now?”

    “We had asked Thackeray not to support Margaret Alva for the post of Vice President, but our views were ignored,” he added.

    The Shiv Sena, Shewale said, has never officially left the NDA. Sena is still part of the NDA, he asserted. 

    The Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, however, rubbished claims made by Shewale.

    ALSO READ | Rabble to rubble: Uddhav Thackeray and the difficulty of being good

    Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena today suffered a fresh jolt with 12 of its 19 Lok Sabha members shifting allegiance to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and declaring two-term member Rahul Shewale as their leader in the lower house.

    Rahul Shewale and the eleven other Sena Lok Sabha MPs joined Eknath Shinde’s faction in Delhi. 

    Shinde announced that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has recognised Rahul Shewale as Shiv Sena leader in the Lower House of Parliament.

    Meanwhile, according to a report, the 12 Lok Sabha MPs have been given Y-level security by the central and state government. All MP residences and offices have been provided with security by paramilitary personnel. The decision came after an online meeting.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Lok Sabha’s MP Rahul Shewale on Tuesday alleged that in June 2021, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which lasted over an hour.

    The leaders had then arrived at a decision for a Sena-BJP alliance again in Maharashtra, but Uddhav backtracked later. The suspension of 12 BJP MLAs in the monsoon session of the Assembly spoiled the plan. 

    The BJP MLAs had been suspended from the Maharashtra assembly for one year over alleged misbehavior with the presiding officer.

    he queried.

    While accusing Uddhav Thackeray of going back on his word on reforming ties with the BJP, Shewale claimed, “Uddhavji had agreed to form an alliance with the BJP. But after 12 BJP MLAs were suspended, that plan then did not go through. When we suggested an alliance with the BJP, Uddhavji said, ‘I have tried’. So why don’t you try now?”

    “We had asked Thackeray not to support Margaret Alva for the post of Vice President, but our views were ignored,” he added.

    The Shiv Sena, Shewale said, has never officially left the NDA. Sena is still part of the NDA, he asserted. 

    The Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, however, rubbished claims made by Shewale.

    ALSO READ | Rabble to rubble: Uddhav Thackeray and the difficulty of being good

    Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena today suffered a fresh jolt with 12 of its 19 Lok Sabha members shifting allegiance to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and declaring two-term member Rahul Shewale as their leader in the lower house.

    Rahul Shewale and the eleven other Sena Lok Sabha MPs joined Eknath Shinde’s faction in Delhi. 

    Shinde announced that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has recognised Rahul Shewale as Shiv Sena leader in the Lower House of Parliament.

    Meanwhile, according to a report, the 12 Lok Sabha MPs have been given Y-level security by the central and state government. All MP residences and offices have been provided with security by paramilitary personnel. The decision came after an online meeting.