New Delhi: In another big blow to Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena’s Members of Parliament (MP) are likely to begin switchover to the rival Eknath Shinde camp. Reports suggest that 12 of Sena’s 18 MPs have made up their minds to cross over to Shinde camp and may make the big announcement today at a press conference in the national capital today.
The likely switchover, comes on the back of Maharashtra CM & Sena rebel Eknath Shinde’s visit to Delhi where he is expected to meet top BJP brass. This is Shinde’s 2nd visit to Delhi after becoming Chief Minister.
According to a leading daily, the MPs have also written to Speaker Om Birla regarding their plans. They have informed Speaker that a separate Sena group will be formed in the House under the leadership of party’s Mumbai South Central MP Rahul Shewale.
Shiv Sena has a total of 19 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, out of which 18 come from Maharashtra alone.
The 12 MPs that are said to be touch with Shinde are — Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Sadashiv Lokhande, Hemant Godse, Hemant Patil, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Krupal Tumane, Bhavna Gawli, Rajendra Gavit, Sanjay Mandlik, Shrikant Shinde, Shrirang Barne, Rahul Shewale.
Y+ security cover for rebel Sena MPs
According to reports, the 12 Shiv Sena MPs who snapped ties with Uddhav camp are said to be have been provided Y-level security
If 12 MPs make the switchover, the party will face an existential threat as the rival camp would also claim ownership of the original party symbol.
The Uddhav camp has already lost most of his MLAs to the Shinde camp. More than 35 MLAs out of 55 legislators have already made a switch bringing down the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Many Sena corporators also rallied behind the Shinde camp and vowed their allegiance to Sena rebels.
