Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, July 20: Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of Maharashtra, has made his final attempt to seize control of the whole Shiv Sena by approaching the Election Commission of India (EC).
Shinde’s group claims that a majority of Shiv Sena leaders have united and created a new executive body after dissolving the one chosen by Uddhav Thackeray in a letter to the EC.
Shiv Sena MPs took part in a virtual meeting of the ‘national executive,’ presided over by Eknath Shinde, on Monday. Shinde was also named the ‘chief leader’ of the party during the national executive, which the rebel faction convened before to the Supreme Court hearing on July 20.
A split in the Shiv Sena’s ranks in Parliament led to 12 of its 19 Lok Sabha members switching their allegiance to Shinde and appointing Rahul Shewale, a two-term member, as their leader in the Lower House.
Uddhav Thackeray’s side has already submitted a caveat to the EC in the continuing dispute over the ‘genuine Shiv Sena,’ requesting to be heard if any arguments are made regarding the Sena by any party. The Thackeray faction requested in the caveat that the poll panel not pass any orders or decisions before hearing them.
Notably, Shinde was sworn-in as chief minister on June 30 after incumbent Uddhav Thackeray quit the post
