On January 10, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar declared that the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is the real Shiv Sena political party. The Shiv Sena is divided into two factions, one led by Eknath Shinde and the other by Uddhav Thackeray.
Both factions of the Shiv Sena filed cross-petitions, requesting the disqualification of each other's MLAs in the aftermath of the party split.
"All the petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs are rejected. No MLA disqualified from any faction of Shiv Sena," said Rahul Narwekar.
Whose Shiv Sena Is It?
The two sides have been at loggerheads with each other about being recognised as the ‘real Shiv Sena’. They had approached the Election Commission of India to stake claim over the party's name and symbol.
The Election Commission gave the 'Shiv Sena' name and 'bow and arrow' symbol to the Shinde-led faction, while the one headed by Thackeray was to be called Shiv Sena (UBT) with its symbol being a flaming torch.
Functionaries from both factions had said they would approach the Supreme Court in case of an unfavourable verdict from the Speaker.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Reactions
Shiv Sena (UBT) workers staged protest against the Speaker's decision supporting Eknath Shinde faction.
Statements from Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders
1. Uddhav Thackeray:
"The Speaker's order that has come today is a murder of democracy and is also an insult to the decision of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had clearly said that the Governor had misused his position and made a wrong decision. We will fight this battle further and we have full confidence in the Supreme Court. Supreme Court will not stop without giving complete justice to the people and Shiv Sena."
2. Shiv Sena (UBT faction) leader Sanjay Raut:
"This is a BJP conspiracy, and it was their dream that one day we would finish Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena. But Shiv Sena won't end with this decision. We will go to the Supreme Court."
3. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi:
"I am not surprised at all. We had heard 'Wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-khuda hota hai'... after 2014, a new tradition has begun, 'Wahi hota hai Jo manzoor-e-Narendra Modi aur Amit Shah hota hai.' That is what we see happening in Maharashtra. This is an unfortunate compromise of ethics. Something that was termed 'illegal' and 'unconstitutional' by the Supreme Court is being turned into 'legal.' This is unfortunate."
Shinde-led Shiv Sena Reactions
Eknath Shinde faction celebrated at Balasaheb Bhavan in Mumbai after Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar declared their faction as the real Shiv Sena.
Statements from Shinde-led Shiv Sena leaders
1. CM Eknath Shinde:
"In democracy, majority is important and we have it."
2. Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar:
"With this decision, democracy will be strengthened. The fact of this decision is that there should be democracy in the party as well. This is a landmark judgement. This decision was taken after analyses of all facts. It is a correct decision."
3.Maharastra Minister Uday Samant:
"It has been finalised as to who is a traitor. We are satisfied with the decision & we thank the Assembly Speaker."
