Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde on Monday hinted at further political developments after six Shiv Sena MPs (UBT) joined the Shiv Sena faction he leads. Reacting to the latest shift, Shinde said: “There will continue to be explosions after explosions. For the past four years, we have only created political shocks.”
“Yeh to bas trailer hai picture abhi baaki hai” (The main story is yet to unfold), he added, suggesting that the latest move might just be the beginning.
Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have joined the Shinde faction
The political shift came after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs – Sanjay Dina Patel, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchor, Nagesh Patil Ashtekar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar – formally joined the Shiv Sena under Shinde’s leadership.
Shinde replies
Speaking about the intense media coverage, Shinde said: “And tell me, wasn’t a day enough for you (the journalists)? Two major news stories, both national headlines, how much do you want in one day?”
He also said: “Take something tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, or even later. I think you must be tired by now, from breaking news after breaking news since the morning. How long will you keep running? Now take a rest today, and keep calm. Tomorrow, we will start all over again.”
Six rebel MPs from UBT officially join Shinde’s Shiv Sena
This move increased the number of Sena MPs from 7 to 13. This increased the strength of the Shiv Sena.
Read also | Big blow for Uddhav Thackeray as six rebel UBT MPs officially join Shiv Sena from Shinde: ‘Operation Tiger a success’
Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde welcomed six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs into his fold and said their appointment marked the “second phase” of the political realignment that began with his 2022 revolt against Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde said all formalities have been completed and the MPs have officially joined the Shiv Sena, which he described as the true heir to Bal Thackeray’s ideology. Describing the move as a “six” for his camp, Shinde stressed that his faction’s struggle was aimed at protecting Balasaheb’s vision and values.
Where it all started
These six rebel MPs had skipped the Sena parliamentary party’s (UBT) meeting in Delhi on June 17, sparking speculation that they were on their way to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Read also | Six rebel MPs join Sena; Shinde says ‘all formalities have been met’
Nagesh Patil Ashtekar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar were the only MPs to confirm their move to the Shinde group.
Six MPs were impressed by the work of Sena leader Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde and joined the Sena today, Transport Minister and Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik said. They had sent a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and wanted to follow the ideology of Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
