Vibha Sharma
New Delhi, June 24
Relations between the two warring factions of the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra seem to have reached the point of no return. Addressing a meeting of district unit chiefs, Uddhav Thackeray said today that he would have vacated ‘Varsha’, the official residence of the chief minister, but not determined to fight back.
Accusing the Eknath Shinde-led group of back-stabbing and blaming the BJP for the rebellion in his party, he said, “Whoever wants to go can go, Shiv Sena loyalists will be with me.”
“Why should I feel bad? Maybe their dreams have become too big. My job is not to fulfill their dreams, but people’s.” The troubled Chief Minister said that despite the revolts that the Shiv Sena faced earlier, it became stronger after coming to power twice. “Fight elections without using Thackeray’s name and Shiv Sena’s symbol,” he said.
Referring to the allegations of keeping distance from his MLAs, he said that in the last two years, he fought with Kovid-19 and opponents took advantage of it. His son Aaditya Thackeray was present at Shiv Sena Bhavan during the address.
However, it remains to be seen how long will Uddhav Shinde’s side last as the battle for control of the Shiv Sena, its election symbol and Maharashtra against the rising numbers. accelerates. While Uddhav’s supporters are accusing the BJP and claiming that the Shiv Sena leadership can always be rebuilt, observers believe that the options for the Sena chief are running out. Amid speculation over the fate of the MVA, top NCP leaders including NCP president Sharad Pawar met Uddhav, sources say, adding that the Shiv Sena has called a meeting of its national executive tomorrow. Sources say that Pawar is aware that Uddhav does not have numbers.
Today another MLA, Dilip Lande, landed in Guwahati, taking the number of insurgents to 38. Seeking to restore ties with the BJP, the Shinde side is claiming the support of over 50 MLAs, including “40 of the Shiv Sena” and 12 independents.