MUMBAI: Less than a fortnight after he led a revolt against the Shiv Sena leadership, Uddhav Thackeray on Friday sacked Eknath Shinde, now chief minister, from the post of Shiv Sena leader. Thackeray’s decision is being seen as the first disciplinary action against rebel Shiv Sena legislators led by Shinde. In the Sena, there are 11 Shiv Sena leaders who are part of the decision-making process.
In a brief letter to Shinde, Thackeray said, “You have been indulging in anti-party activities and have also voluntarily given up your membership of Shiv Sena, therefore, in exercise of powers vested in me as the Shiv Sena Paksha Pramukh, I remove you from the post of Shiv Sena leader in the party organisation.”
Thackeray’s decision acquires political importance as, in the days to come, the Shiv Sena will initiate disqualification proceedings against Shinde on the grounds that he has voluntarily given up membership of the party. Shinde has already been sacked as leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party. He has been replaced by legislator Ajay Choudhary, while legislator Sunil Prabhu has been appointed as the chief whip.
Shinde’s spokesperson Deepak Kesarkar said he was not surprised over the move. “It will not make any difference to Shinde. Now he is the leader of the legislature party and the CM,” Kesarkar said.
