There is a possibility of a major split in Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), due to which Uddhav Thackeray has called an emergency meeting of MPs. There is speculation that 4 out of their 9 MPs will join Shinde’s faction. 2 MPs did not attend this meeting.
Mumbai: After Trinamool Congress (TMC), now there are signs of a major split in Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) also. Uddhav Thackeray has called an emergency meeting of his MPs. There are reports that some of his MPs are in touch with Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. This effort of Uddhav is to save the party from disintegration. Uddhav faction has a total of 9 MPs in the Lok Sabha, out of which 4 are being speculated to switch sides. This meeting has started in Mumbai, but there is news that two MPs have not reached this meeting.
This news of rebellion in Shiv Sena has come just when there is a similar stir in Trinamool Congress also. Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) has 9 MPs in the Lok Sabha, while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena has 7 MPs. According to reports, Shinde group is in talks with 6 MPs of Uddhav’s party. There is talk that these MPs are considering joining the Shinde faction. However, two MPs, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, have made it clear that they will stand firmly with Uddhav Thackeray. If the remaining MPs change sides, it will give a big lead to the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha.
Rebel TMC MPs will meet the Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday and submit a letter seeking recognition as a separate faction. At present, NDA has 293 MPs. If rebel TMC MPs come together then this figure will increase to 313. BJP is trying to increase this number to 320 by bringing Shiv Sena MPs into its fold. Apart from these, there are 10 more MPs in the Lok Sabha including small parties and independents. It is being said that the big goal of BJP is to bring along 22 DMK MPs so that two-thirds majority can be achieved. This will make it easier for the government to pass important bills like women’s reservation and delimitation.