Page 9 - Team Thackeray News Today

Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, today shared more group photos flaunting his growing support in the Shiv Sena as he fights Uddhav Thackeray to gain control of the party.

Mumbai: In his first public address after the takeover by Eknath Shinde, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday demanded fresh elections in the state and said he would not let the rebels use the Shiv Sena's poll symbol.

Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant today played down the choice of a new Chief Whip in Lok Sabha -- viewed largely as a precautionary measure to prevent a replay of the split that took place in the assembly.

Legendary athlete P T Usha and music maestro Ilaiyaraaja were among prominent personalities nominated to Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Philanthropist and administrator of the Dharmasthala temple Veerendra Heggade and noted screen writer V Vijayendra Prasad were also nominated to the Upper House of Parliament.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, reduced to a minority in the Maharashtra assembly, has appointed a new Chief Whip for the Lok Sabha, fearing revolt by party MPs.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party will win more than 100 seats if mid-term polls are held now in Maharashtra and claimed that people are angry against the rebel MLAs.

"This is the BJP's ploy to end the Shiv Sena," Uddhav Thackeray told district unit heads, hours after Eknath Shinde-led government proved majority

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde easily proved his government's majority in the Assembly today. This caps two weeks of political surprises that split the Shiv Sena and brought down the Uddhav Thackeray government.

Eknath Shinde-led faction’s tally went up by one ahead of the floor test as Sanjay Bangar too dumped the Thackeray camp to support the trust vote.

"With Eknath Shinde, we have once again formed our government with Shiv Sena," said Mr Fadnavis, "I became Deputy CM as per my party's command."