SHIV SENA BUNKS

Party abstains from vote against Modi’s govt

Shiv Sena’s Members of Parliament abstained from voting in the no-trust motion in Lok Sabha on Friday. According to political observers, by bunking the session at a time when the notrust motion was moved, Sena has given a clear indication that it will go solo in the 2019 polls.

Uddhav Thackeray on Friday informed his party MPs to abstain. Following his order, 18 MPs of Sena did not attend the LS proceedings and didn’t even sign the attendance register.

According to sources, Sena MPs were present at the party office in Parliament, watching the live telecast of no-confidence motion proceedings in the House. There has also been no official Sena reaction post the no-trust motion. However, according to a political analyst, the decision will be a setback for the Sena. Kiran Tare, political analyst, said, “No other opposition party has invited Sena to join it and even BJP has lost faith in it. Sena was equidistant from both BJP and non-BJP parties, but now it has increased the distance from it’s ally BJP.” He added that though Sena’s stance may help the Narendra Modi government win the no-trust motion, Sena has by its actions, sought to keep its stand against the government safe.

“It was a golden opportunity since Sena has differences with BJP over several issues. They could have brought it to the notice of BJP on the floor of the house, but they have lost this opportunity,” said Tare and claimed that Sena does not want to go with BJP in the next election and that is why they chose to abstain at the time of no-trust motion.

Meanwhile, Ashok Chavan, state president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, criticised the Sena for running away from the motion instead of quitting from the Modi government. “Sena is playing a double-role. They want to enjoy the benefits of being in power and at the same time, they are opposing the BJP on certain issues. If Sena really wants to oppose BJP, it should quit from the government,” said Chavan.