Amit Shah Declares Shiv Sena Unified Under Eknath Shinde's Leadership
Amit Shah's Remarks on Shiv Sena's Unity
On June 20, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that there are no factions left within the Shiv Sena, emphasizing that the party is now entirely under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. Speaking at a thank-you rally in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Shah noted that previously, the Shinde faction was referred to by his name, but now there is only one Shiv Sena. During this event, he also paid homage at the Mata Ambabai temple and laid the foundation stone for its modernization and beautification.
Cultural Revival and Development Initiatives
Shah expressed that the gathering in Kolhapur, the sacred land of Mata Ambabai, was for a noble cause. He highlighted that the Maharashtra government is working on the restoration of the Mata Ambabai temple and the construction of a corridor in Karvir Nagar, where the deity resides. Emphasizing cultural revival, he mentioned that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'development and heritage.' He stated, "The redevelopment and rejuvenation of all Jyotirlingas and Shakti Peeths in Maharashtra is a matter of pride for us all."
Political Turmoil in Shiv Sena (UBT)
These comments come amid ongoing turmoil within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), where a significant exodus of party members has occurred under 'Operation Tiger.' Many MPs from UBT have joined Shinde's faction, leading to internal strife, with some MPs going missing and facing threats of legal action. In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued a new 'show cause notice' to absent MPs, warning them of disqualification. Anil Desai, the party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, has formally requested written explanations from the MPs for their absence within 24 hours.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The notice warns that failure to respond will be interpreted as a voluntary resignation from the party, which could trigger actions under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, known as the Anti-Defection Law. The crisis intensified during a mandatory parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, where only three of the nine Lok Sabha MPs were present: Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje. The remaining six MPs—Nagesh Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchoure—were absent.