In yet another major blow to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), two of its senior leaders joined Eknath Shinde's camp within just 2 days.
On Sunday evening, June 18, Maharashtra Legislative Council member Manisha Kayande became the second to join hands with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. A day earlier, on Saturday, June 17, former MLA Shishir Shinde resigned from the Thackeray-led faction.
This move came just ahead of Shiv Sena's foundation day, June 19, 1966.
It is pertinent to note that this step by Kayande was taken after she was sacked from the post of spokesperson for anti-party activities. However, she was not expelled from Shiv Sena (UBT).
Though she denies involvement in any anti-party activity and highlights the need for open communication and addressing issues within the party.
Kayande, who serves as a member of the State Legislative Council, will end her term on July 27, 2024. Meanwhile, leaders of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction hit out at Kayde, saying that despite getting everything from the organisation, she has chosen to leave it.
On the other hand, Kayand claimed that Uddhav Thackeray was inaccessible for party feedback and also alleged that money is sought from women in the Thackeray faction. He also lacked introspection regarding the exodus of party workers.
She criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and party leader Sushma Andhare for promoting the agendas of NCP and Congress.
Speaking at the function after joining Shiv Sena in neighbouring Thane, Kayande claimed she waited for a year to see if the Thackeray-led faction would introspect over why party workers were leaving Shiv Sena-UBT.
She also exclaimed that Balasahebanchi Sena led by Eknath Shinde is the original Shiv Sena that belongs to the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.
For those unversed, in June last year, two factions were formed in the Shiv Sena following the rebellion of Eknath Shinde. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 39 other party MLAs rebelled against the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, resulting in the fall of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government.
Later, Eknath Shinde assumed the role of Chief Minister with the support of the BJP. Subsequently, the Election Commission of India gave his faction the name of the original party and 'Bow and Arrow'. While the Thackeray group was named Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
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