MUMBAI, 22 FEBRUARY, 2023 (GPN): Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde is also the Shiv Sena Party Chief  or ‘ Shiv Sena Pramukh (Mukhya Neta)’, The party’s national executive meeting here decided on Tuesday. It said Shinde will have all the executive rights related to the party. 

The crucial decision was taken after the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the party symbol ‘bow and arrow’ to the Shinde faction on the basis of its legislative strength.

Speaking with GPN Cabinet minister Uday Samant said, “This meeting was held under the leadership of Eknath Shinde and we have decided that he will be our main leader and all the powers will now be with him,”

“We have decided that we will take forward the ideology of Bal Thackeray and ensure that the mistake which we made (by forming an alliance with the Congress and the NCP) are not repeated,” he added. 

According to an executive proposal letter, a copy of which is with ThePrint, a three-member committee will be formed under the chairmanship of cabinet minister Dada Bhuse to take action against those working against the party. 

The executive meeting also cleared a proposal seeking Bharat Ratna for Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. 

Earlier in the day, the Secretariat handed over the Shiv Sena office in Parliament to the Shinde camp. A day ago, the office in Maharashtra assembly was also given to the Shinde side. 

When Parliament or assembly are in session, Shinde, as the main leader, will decide when the chief whip needs to issue a whip, Rahul Shewale, MP and Shiv Sena group leader in Lok Sabha, said to GPN News Service.

“Since we are the Shiv Sena, we have the right to issue the whip going forward and everyone has to follow,” said Shewale. 

The Uddhav Thackeray camp has challenged the ECI ruling in the Supreme Court and the hearing on the same is Wednesday afternoon.  

The executive meeting also discussed the issue of Marathi getting the status of elite language and that sons of soil — bhumiputras, or local Maharashtrians — should be given 80 per cent jobs. 

Churchgate Railway Station in Mumbai should be named after Chintaman Rao Deshmukh Station, the meeting discussed.

Earlier on Saturday, Thackeray had called a meeting of all MLAs and MPs of the Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Chi Sena) faction at Matoshree, his residence in Mumbai, to discuss strategy following the EC order.

“We are not really worried about voters. Sympathy will get transferred into votes. But what we should worry about is democracy,” Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant tells GPN Media. Sawant was referring to the idea that the EC’s decision to allot the Sena’s name and symbol to the Shinde faction might help the Thackeray group garner sympathy votes.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections to be held later this year will be the final battle for both factions post the EC order, to prove their Power and emerge Victorious.Ends