Eknath Shinde scores big in Shiv Sena (UBT) coup
Six of nine Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday skipped a scheduled party meeting in the Parliament premises, conforming their crossover to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena. The MPs who skipped the meeting included Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
Sources said all six dissident MPs have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The process, however, is not yet complete, as the speaker’s office is understood to require the physical appearance of some of the MPs for verification and that is “expected to happen in the coming days”.
Following the development, Maharashtra Police accorded Y-Plus security cover to the six MPs, according to a letter signed by Shirish Jain, Commissioner of Intelligence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) had issued a three-line whip directing its MPs to attend the meeting at 11 am on Thursday at the party office located in the Parliament House complex. The move was aimed at paving the way for possible disqualification proceedings against the rebel leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha and at least six will have to switch sides together to escape the anti-defection law.
Party MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. “They will be asked why they did not attend the meeting despite a whip being issued in this regard. They will be given seven days to respond and if they do not respond, we will write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking their disqualification,” said Sawant who is also the floor leader of party in Lok Sabha.
Raut said the MPs’ no-show will be considered a violation of the party whip and legal action is being initiated to disqualify them as lawmakers. He asserted that “this time, things are not easy and they won’t be spared”.
He also held the Supreme Court and the Election Commission responsible for the prevailing political situation in the country.
On Wednesday, a local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader in Washim had warned Sanjay Deshmukh that he would not be allowed to return to the constituency and his car would be set on fire if he switched loyalties without resigning as an MP first. Party workers in Dharashiv said that cow dung would be smeared on the faces of those who leave the party and they would not be allowed to move freely in the constituency.
Raut too warned the rebel MPs on Wednesday. “The traitors will not be able to go home or to their constituencies. They will be taught a proper lesson. They will need the help of the Army to reach home, they will need the Indian Air Force for protection,” he said.
