Troubles Brew In MVA As Shiv Sena Supports NDA’s Droupadi Murmu For Presidential Polls

Thackeray’s ally Congress said that Sena’s decision of supporting NDA’s Draupadi Murmu was “unfathomable”.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, earlier this week, announced support for Murmu without any pressure, while acknowledging that this is the first occasion wherein a tribal woman is getting the opportunity to become President. However, the move does not seem to have gone down well with its MVA ally Congress.

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, in a statement, said, “The Shiv Sena is a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, but it has not discussed its decision with us. It is unfathomable why the party is supporting Murmu when its government (in Maharashtra) was brought down in a non-democratic way.” Thorat, however, acknowledged that the Sena was a separate political entity with the right to take a stand. “But, in this ideological battle, undemocratic ways were used to bring down a functional government and Sena’s existence was also threatened,” he said.

“The Shiv Sena is a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, but it has not discussed its decision with us. It is unfathomable why the party is supporting Murmu when its government (in Maharashtra) was brought down in a non-democratic way,” senior Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said in a statement.

Uddhav’s announcement came a day after party MPs urged him not only to back Murmu but also rebuild ties with the BJP, whom they called a natural ally.

NCP President states:

Jayant Patil, NCP State President said, ” In every Presidential election, Shiv Sena has made their own choice. It is not a support to NDA. Murmu belongs to the Adivasi community. Hence, the Sena must have extended their support. We cannot have restrictions, several decisions are taken at individual party level, where alliance partners should not interfere.”