Sudhir Suryawanshi further said: “Even after Shiv Sena the name and symbol going to Eknath Shinde but the people’s support is still not with the BJP and Eknath Shinde and that is the biggest fear for the BJP.”
Mumbai: After almost 8 months of the Uddhav Thackeray loyalist Eknath Shinde’s rebellion which split the party into two (Shiv Sena UBT and BSS) the Election Commission of India on Friday evening announced that the claim over the name and symbol (bow and arrow) will go to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. With the symbol and name the party’s command also is now in the hands of CM Shinde and with the support of 40 MLAs, 1 MLC, and its allies the BJP (105) is in a quiet comfortable space.
What Thackeray Has In Hand Now?
Uddhav Thackeray now has the support of 16 MLAs 11 MLC, 4 MPs(LS), and 3 MPs (RS). There are 227 Shiv Sena shakas which will now be commanded by the party president i.e Eknath Shinde, which is also the number of BMC wards in Mumbai. However, a lot of the Shakha Pramukhs are still loyal to the Thackerays. The Sena Headquarters in Dadar will still be under the Thackerays because Sena bhavan is managed by a trust.
Brand Thackeray: There are still many in the state who worship the Sena founder Bal Thackeray and are loyal to the brand Thackeray. The brand Thackeray’s importance can also be determined by the way relations of senior BJP leaders of the state have changed their equations with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray after a break-up with Sena.
Also Read:”A=B=C”: What Sushma Andhare Said On ECI Order Allotting Shivsena and Symbol To Shinde
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis had a total of 3 meetings with the firebrand leader after the change of government, besides the BJP also withdrew its candidate Murji Patel against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Rutuja Latke after Raj Thackeray appealed for an unopposed election as a goodwill gesture for Latke whose husband passed away due to which the byelection was announced in the constituency.
Interestingly the same Devendra Fadnavis once called Raj Thackeray an entertainer and its party a party that does not have voters.
Sympathy: Speaking to people on the announcement HW News came to know that a lot of public sentiment which includes those who do not follow a lot of electoral politics towards the Thackeray’s. A lot of the Muslim population which is traditionally not a Thackeray voter has expressed support. When many from the opposition avoided commenting on the release of the Bilkis Bano’s convicts Thckray openly criticized the move.
What does The Expert say?
“There are a couple of reasons that the BMC elections might be announced in the mid of the year: 1) PM Modi’s within a month visited Mumbai twice.” 2) ECI’s order in favor of CM Eknath Shinde for the party founded by Uddhav Thackeray’s father.” Said author and senior Political journalist Sudhir Suryawanshi said speaking to HW News Network.
However, the popular political journalist also said: “The BJP and CM are not confident of winning the BMC elections just like the Andheri(E) by-polls and where it filled the nomination and withdrew the nomination at the 11th hour.”
Sudhir Suryawanshi further said: “Even after the Shiv Sena name and symbol going to Eknath Shinde but the people’s support is still not with the BJP and Eknath Shinde and that is the biggest fear for the BJP.”
The Checkmate author added: “The major possibility is the BMC elections will be announced with the general and assembly elections next year.”
Suryawnashi concluded by saying: “During the Covid period Uddhav garnered a lot of support during the covid and has an image of a neighbor in the minds of people which he has to develop.” He also said that the symbol won’t be a matter of concern in the digital era and the Uddhav already won an election with the symbol.
What’s Next?
In the cases related to the disqualification of the 40 MLAs, a 5-judge of the Constitution Bench on Friday observed that it will decide the plea for reference to a larger bench after hearing the merits of the matter, reported Live Law.
The plea for reference is made by the Uddhav Thackeray side to revisit the correctness of the Constitution Bench judgment in Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker (2016).
In Nabam Rebia, the opinions of the then Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice Deepak Misra held that a Speaker cannot decide on disqualification petitions when a notice seeking his removal is pending. However, Justice MB Lokur in his judgment observed that this point did not arise in the case.
A 5-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is hearing the matter and the next hearing will take place on the 21st.
Besides, Thackeray has still not given up on the name and symbol and Thackeray has said: “The Shiv Sena will take its fight in SC.
Fireworks of words are expected in the coming week as the state’s budget session is scheduled for February 27.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
