Uddhav Thackeray’s Faction Challenges Legitimacy of Rebel MPs’ Merger with Shinde Sena

In a significant political development, leaders of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, namely Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday to contest the legitimacy of a merger between rebel MPs and the faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Uddhav Sena maintains that a group of MPs, even if it represents two-thirds of the party’s legislative wing, cannot independently merge with another party without the original party’s consent.

This meeting comes in the wake of a recent shift, where six out of the nine Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav faction aligned themselves with Shinde’s camp on Monday. The Uddhav Sena’s leaders argued that any merger must adhere to the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which outlines the anti-defection law.

Desai emphasized to reporters after the meeting that only a political party has the authority to decide on merging with another entity, and that such a decision requires the approval of a specified number of legislators. He stated, “We informed Mr. Birla that we are the original party and that Shiv Sena (UBT) and its chief, Uddhav Thackeray, have not made any decision to merge with any other party, nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.”

The Uddhav faction has been vocal in its opposition to the rebel group, asserting the need for constitutional adherence in such matters. They delivered a letter from Thackeray to Birla, reiterating their stance and seeking protection against what they perceive as a dilution of their political identity. This incident underscores the ongoing rift within the Shiv Sena, which has been exacerbated by internal disputes since the party’s bifurcation.

The political landscape in Maharashtra remains tense as the conflict between the Uddhav Thackeray faction and the Shinde-led group continues to unfold. The implications of these developments are significant, not only for the factions involved but also for the broader political dynamics in the state. As this situation evolves, the Uddhav faction’s call for maintaining the sanctity of party mergers in accordance with legal frameworks will likely be a focal point in the days to come.

Source: scroll.in