5 July 2023, Mumbai: The Shiv Sena is experiencing internal dissatisfaction as the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar joins the Maharashtra government. Sanjay Shirsat, a leader of the Shiv Sena, stated that not all party leaders are happy with this development, and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will determine the next steps. These remarks come amidst a political crisis in the Nationalist Congress Party following Ajit Pawar’s switch to the Shinde-BJP government as Deputy Chief Minister.
Shirsat mentioned that some members within their group were upset after the NCP joined the government because certain leaders did not receive their desired positions. He acknowledged that in politics, when rival factions seek to join forces, they must be accommodated, which is what the BJP did. However, he clarified that not all Shiv Sena leaders are content with the NCP’s inclusion.
Shirsat informed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the concerns within the party, emphasizing that they must address and resolve the issue. He alleged that Sharad Pawar had previously exerted control over the government while Uddhav Thackeray served as Chief Minister in the MVA government. It is Uddhav Thackeray who now leads the rival faction of the Shiv Sena.
The Nationalist Congress Party, led by Sharad Pawar, has filed a disqualification petition against the nine MLAs who joined the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra government. Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, and others were among those who took oath as ministers. Sharad Pawar has taken action against Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, removing them from the party for “anti-party activities.”
Shirsat emphasized their longstanding opposition to the NCP and Sharad Pawar, maintaining that they remain against them. He stated that Eknath Shinde will determine the future course of action for the Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar has formally removed the names of the MPs involved in the defection from the Membership Register of the Nationalist Congress Party.
In a communication sent to the two MPs, Pawar stated that their actions of supporting Ajit Pawar and the other MLAs who joined the government without the party’s direction constitute anti-party activities and voluntary relinquishment of NCP membership. This action has caused dissatisfaction within the party, leading to the disqualification petition against the defected MLAs.