In a significant political move, the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has reportedly sent 8.5 lakh primary membership forms to the office of Election Commission of India (ECI) in two trucks.
Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai, who is handling the faction's EC affairs, said the party had collected around 11 lakh primary membership forms but the EC had specified guidelines for submission and of the total they sent 8.5 lakh papers.
He further stated that they have also submitted affidavits of all party members' 'pratinidhi sabha' and office bearers from district chiefs to booth chiefs which amount to 2.62 lakh. He added that more affidavits from other districts will be added too.
As per the information given by sources, the affidavit read, " I have full faith and confidence in the constitution of Shiv Sena. I have full faith in the thoughts and principles given by the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. I have full confidence in the leadership of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and I am supporting his leadership. I ensure that I will try to follow purposes of party's constitution and reiterate that I have full faith on Uddhav Thackeray's leadership."
Soon after Shinde rebelled with 40 MLAs, Uddhav had given a target to all of Sena's zilla pramukhs to get 50 lakh members to submit affidavits pledging support. Sena (UBT) had asked all office-bearers to submit 'loyalty affidavits'.
It is pertinent to note that this came at a time when when the EC is hearing the dispute between the Uddhav and CM Eknath Shinde's factions.
CM Eknath Shinde-led camp and Thackeray faction are entangled in a battle over claim of being 'real' Shiv Sena and the poll panel is hearing the matter.
Earlier in the month, EC freezed the party name and symbol as well in view of the BMC bye-elections on November 3.
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