Locked in an EC battle with Shinde, Uddhav receives an ‘affidavit’ of military loyalty on his birthday. Given the political developments that rocked the Thackeray-led army in the past month and a half, the atmosphere and atmosphere that prevailed in and around Motoshree on Wednesday was celebratory but calm.
Nearly a month after he was forced to resign as the chief minister of Maharashtra in the wake of a rebellion by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, due to the collapse of his Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has turned 62 on Wednesday.
Crowds thronged Mumbai’s suburban Bandra area to celebrate and wish him along with loyal soldiers of Matoshree, his residence.
Eknath Shinde has taken over as the new Chief Minister after joining hands with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), whose senior leader Devendra Fadnavis has become the deputy Chief minister.
Given the political developments that rocked the Thackeray-led army in the past month and a half, the atmosphere and atmosphere that prevailed in and around Motoshree on Wednesday was celebratory but calm.
While thousands of Shiv Sena workers throng to present gifts, flowers, and bouquets to Matoshree on the occasion of Thackeray’s birthday every year, the scenario was different this year with the party seeing just a vertical split.
Apart from gifts and flowers, this time he came to Matoshree with a plethora of loyalty promises that the soldiers had signed to express their support for the party chief.
Sena’s response to Thackrey’s appeal
Shiv Sena workers have responded to the appeal of Thackeray, who, while addressing party workers in Mumbai last Sunday, told them that this time on his birthday he would need a pledge of support signed by him instead of a bouquet.
He also appealed to them to nominate more people as members of Shiv Sena.
“The fight has now reached the Election Commission of India, they (Shinde camp) are now claiming that they are the real Shiv Sena.
We not only need strong, steadfast support from AAP but also more people to register as party members on paper.
You all now start collecting affidavits of support (from party workers) and filling up the membership form.
This time give me signed affidavits and filled membership forms as a gift,” Thackeray told army workers while addressing his gathering at Sewri.
His appeal came against the backdrop of a fight between two factions of the Shiv Sena for control of the party now underway in the Election Commission of India, with both making their claims on the Shiv Sena’s name and its election symbol.
Last week, the Shinde camp wrote to the Election Commission demanding a “bow and arrow” emblem of the Shiv Sena, citing the recognition given to its faction in the Lok Sabha as well as the Maharashtra Assembly to strengthen it.
The Election Commission questioned both the claimants to submit statements, documents, and including letters of support from the legislative and organizational wing of the party in the matter.
Since then, it seems that both the Shiv Sena factions have joined the race to reach out to party cadres and leaders and seek their support in writing, which they will submit to the Election Commission.
Shiv Sena’s official words
“This time Uddhavji’s birthday celebrations are different from the earlier one. The party is passing through difficult times.
The workers are emotional, wishing Thackeray a happy birthday and expressing his support.
With best wishes, hundreds of Shivs Sainiks who had come to greet him brought loyalty affidavits collected by him and given to him as birthday gifts.
https://twitter.com/mieknathshinde/status/1552132153932136451?t=H46KaHcCHJ8j5e4Lu0m7DQ&s=19
Meanwhile, CM Shinde also wished Thackeray on his birthday via a Twitter post, addressing him as the former Maharashtra CM, saying he prayed for his long and healthy life.
