Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Tuesday took a swipe at the Shiv Sena (UBT) after six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party crossed into its camp, saying the opposition had lost its “mental balance” after the ‘g…Or ka ghatka“(severe shock).
On Monday, six of the nine Shiv Sena MPs in the Lok Sabha, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakshwar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtekar, Umraji Nimbalkar and Sanjay Dina Patel, formally joined the Shinde Sena in the presence of party president Eknath Shinde.
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Notably, the war of words has been going on for several weeks between the leaders of the two factions ever since reports emerged that some Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are considering leaving the party and joining the Shinde faction.
Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut repeatedly attacked the MPs and called them “traitors”. He went so far as to say that Shinde was “pregnant” and had “now given birth to six MPs” in a jibe at the deputy chief minister.
Shinde mocks Sena (UBT)
Taking aim at Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, Eknath Shinde said the opposition had lost its “mental balance” after going through a shock.Or ka ghatka“.
His remarks came after lawmakers from the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Congress Party (SP) staged a walkout over Parliament Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision to allow ministers to answer questions related to other departments. Later, Congress and Congress Party (SP) members returned to the House, while Sena (UBT) members stayed away.
Referring to the partly empty opposition benches, Shinde said those boycotting the proceedings were wasting the House’s time in “meaningless gossip” as they no longer had real issues to raise, PTI reported.
“Yesterday they got the hold,” he said, without directly mentioning the Shiv Sena (UBT).Gur ka ghatka(Severe shock) and their mental balance is disturbed… and more shocks await them.”
Earlier in the day, opposition leaders objected to Rahul Narwekar assigning responsibility for some departments to a limited number of ministers during the current monsoon period.
Sena (UBT) criticizes Shinde for defection
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he will soon share his response to the recent developments within the party amid the major political setback.
“When I feel the time is right, I will contact the media and talk to you. Let them present their side. We will also present our side soon,” he said.
Before the MPs officially changed their stance, Thackeray told his supporters and party workers in Mumbai that he was ready to resign if they no longer had confidence in his leadership. “I am not someone who runs away in the face of challenges, but if you do not trust me, I am ready to step down,” he said while addressing party workers on the 60th foundation day of the Shiv Sena on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut intensified his attacks against rebel MPs and Eknath Shinde over defections. He said the identities of the “hidden traitors” had finally become clear after they joined the Shinde faction.
“Just as the covered statues are being revealed, the faces of the hidden traitors are also being revealed. They say we did not respect them. If there is no respect in our party, what have they been doing here for so many years?” He said during a press conference.
He also launched a new attack on Shinde, saying that he had undergone a “caesarean section” in order to give birth to “six traitors.”
“A Kenyan woman holds a record for giving birth to quintuplets, but the cradle of six traitors is now swaying at Nandanvan (the official residence of Shinde). Shinde has given birth to six gadar (traitors),” he told reporters.
Notably, Shinde said his camp met all “legal, parliamentary and constitutional requirements” for official recognition of the dissident group. However, the Lok Sabha Speaker’s Office has not made any announcement on the matter yet.
With input from agencies
