Kesarkar: Uddhav’s letter removing Shinde as Sena leader to be challenged
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s letter removing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from the post of ‘Shiv Sena leader’ would be challenged before an appropriate forum, said MLA Deepak Kesarkar, spokesperson of the rebel Sena group, on Saturday.
Thackeray, in a letter dated June 30, removed Shinde from the post of ‘Shiv Sena leader’, accusing him of indulging in “anti-party activities”. Shinde had taken oath as the state chief minister on the same day. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as his deputy.
Thackeray stepped down as the chief minister on June 29, over a week after Shinde launched a rebellion against the party. The majority of MLAs sided with him, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Thackeray.
Talking to reporters in Goa, where the rebel MLAs are currently camping, about Thackeray’s letter, Kesarkar said Shinde has been elected as the party’s group leader in the House by majority of Sena MLAs. “This letter is an insult of the people of the state,” he said.
Shinde remains our group leader in the House and his dignity should be maintained, Kesarkar said adding that Thackeray’s letter would be challenged before the appropriate forum.
“We had said that we will not respond to any statement made by
Uddhav Thackeray. But as far as this letter is concerned, we will have to respond,” he said.
Thackeray’s letter does not fit within the legal framework, he said, adding that Shinde has been elected by the MLAs and no one can snatch that position from him. He also claimed that Shiv Sainiks are being asked to file an affidavit pledging their loyalty to the party.