Mumbai: Stepping in to hold the fort, Shive Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of his party MPs and MLAs as defections to the rival Sena camp led by Eknath Shinde continue in the ever-changing political landscape of Maharashtra.
Uddhav Thackeray has scheduled crucial meetings with the MPs of his faction on 20 February and with the MLAs on 25 February. As the party chief, he will speak to his party leaders and discuss the future action to keep the camp united.
Speaking on the developments, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Rau said those willing to go can go. “There is pressure from power and money. Old cases are being brought up against some people who no longer have the will to fight are leaving. What’s the point of keeping lifeless people around?”
“There will come a day when not a single MLA will be elected from Eknath Shinde’s party. By 2029, the situation will be completely different. At that time, BJP and Shinde will no longer be together.
One faction of Shinde will join a leader from the Konkan region.
Eknath Shinde has caused the most harm to Balasaheb Thackeray.
Uddhav Sena’s exodus continues
The meetings come in the wake of former legislators and many key officebearers deserting the Thackeray camp. In the Konkan region, 14 out of 15 MLAs have already aligned themselves with the ruling Mahayuti alliance, leaving only one MLA Bhaskar Jadhav from Guhagar, in Uddhav’s faction.
During the ongoing Budget Session in Delhi, Aaditya Thackeray held a meeting with the MPs. Speculations were rife about certain MPs leaving Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, and there were even discussions about an alleged Operation Tiger, which hinted at a systematic effort to weaken the Thackeray camp.
Following the MPs’ meeting, a crucial gathering of MLAs will be held on 25 February. Given the upcoming Budget Session of the Maharashtra Assembly, discussions in this meeting may also focus on selecting the Leader of the Opposition.
According to sources, a directive has been issued for all MPs to attend the 20 February meeting at Shiv Sena Bhavan, while MLAs have been instructed to be present for the 25 February session.
Shinde to meet Konkan MLAs
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is also taking aggressive steps. After delivering a major setback to Uddhav Thackeray in Konkan, Shinde is expected to hold a meeting today with MLAs from the region.
In another blow to the Thackeray faction, two prominent leaders from Konkan, Rajan Salvi and Subhash Bane, have joined Eknath Shinde’s camp.
Additionally, all Shiv Sena MLAs from Konkan under the Shinde faction will convene for a key meeting at 3 PM today at the Sahyadri Guest House, where Eknath Shinde will address them.
With these rapid developments, the political battle between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde is intensifying, and the coming days could see further shifts in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
