Another Blow to Uddhav, Eknath Shinde can Bring 400 Former Councilors and MPs to his side
Mumbai, 23rd June 2022: Shiv Sena’s rebel MLA Eknath Shinde is preparing to give another big blow to Uddhav Thackeray. After bringing in a large number of Shiv Sena MLAs, Shinde has made a list of at least 400 former councilors and some MPs who can accompany him. According to reports, after Eknath Shinde joins the new government, these former councilors and MPs may accompany him.
BMC is the real strength of Shiv Sena
This could be another major setback for Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena as municipal elections are due in a few months.The world’s richest municipal corporation Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is dominated by Shiv Sena. In such a situation, if the office-bearers of Shiv Sena join the Shinde camp, then there may be difficulties for the party in the BMC elections.
The tenure of most of the corporations of BMC ended in March itself, but the elections were delayed due to the corona virus pandemic and the subsequent surgery of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.The country’s largest municipal corporation BMC is considered to be the real strength of Shiv Sena.
Will other MPs also leave Uddhav’s side?
Meanwhile, Kalyan MP and Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant, besides several Lok Sabha MPs are also set to join the Shinde camp. Even Washim MP Bhavna Gawli has reportedly told Uddhav that she should go with the BJP. Bhawna Gawli is facing questioning from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
As reported by The Indian Express, Shinde’s group is trying to bring a prominent MP from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region with them. He is the same MP who attended a wedding ceremony on Thursday while his party is facing a crisis.The MP, who attended the wedding of Speaker Om Birla’s employee’s child, said he would comment on the issue later.
A prominent BJP leader from Maharashtra said, “We have information that 14 to 15 MPs are going to join Shinde’s group. Most of them are elected because of the charisma of PM Narendra Modi and they fear that they will not get elected next time So they will come with the Shinde group.” In Mumbai, the BJP had made all plans to contest alone and was already shortlisting people from the Shiv Sena.The BJP leader said, “Now we will have a wider choice.” Apart from senior leaders in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena has entrusted former Mayor Kishori Pednekar and former Leader of the House Vishakha Raut to hold the group together.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) house has been dissolved as soon as the term is over. Shinde hails from Thane city and was the head of the House in Thane. Naresh Mhaske, who was the Mayor of Thane till the dissolution of the house, said, “Most of the councilors in Thane are with Shinde ‘saheb’. We are in Thane city now and will go with them. We don’t want to be with Uddhav Thackeray. Most of the councilors of Ulhasnagar, Kalyan Dombivali, Bhiwandi Nizampur, Navi Mumbai, Vasai Virar, Panvel and other municipal bodies of Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Nashik are with Shinde saheb.People’s representatives of Palghar, Dahanu, Talasari and Thane areas are also with Shinde Saheb.It’s a matter of a few days.”