Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was named the Shiv Sena chief in a crucial meeting. This announcement has come days after the Election Commission recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena in its dispute with the Uddhav Thackeray faction, and allotted it the party’s poll symbol ‘bow and arrow’.
Shiv Sena leaders have unanimously given CM Shinde all the rights to take decisions on behalf of the party. While Uddhav Thackeray was called as the Shiv Sena Party Chief, Shinde will be called Chief Leader. There were many proposals and resolutions made in the meeting.
“The disciplinary committee will ensure smooth functioning of the party and will take action against on people who act against the party lines,” State industries minister Uday Samant. Analysts believe that this was a warning to former party president Uddhav Thackeray and 16 MLAs who are with him.
Hours before the national executive meeting, the party asked the media to call it “Shiv Sena” and not “Shinde camp”.
The meeting was attended by MLAs, MPs and other Shiv Sena leaders who are away from the party led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has approached the Supreme Court to suspend the Election Commission’s order. The court will hear the plea today.
While the Supreme Court battle goes on, Mr Thackeray is working to keep the morale high of party workers loyal to him by focusing on more activity at “Shiv Sainik” camps.
The Shiv Sena has a large network of camps across the state, which Mr Thackeray will contact afresh to start a “Shiv Shakti Abhiyan”, or an exercise to strengthen the party’s workers on the ground
