Shiv Sena had been Bal Thackeray family property. Uddhav Thackeray took over the party after the death of his father. His hold on Shiv Sena is under threat.
Eknath Shinde revolted with two thirds of Shiv Sena MLAs in Maharashtra. He had BJP’s support. He unexpectedly became CM when it was expected that Devendra Fadnavis will be CM and Eknath Shinde will be Deputy CM. Devendra Fadnavis did not want to be part of the government as Deputy CM but BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda ordered him to take the post and he complied. Uddhav Thackeray could have faced vote of confidence but he chose to resign. He had vacated CM’s residence when it was clear that majority of MLAs were not with him.
There are cases in Supreme Court filed by Shinde faction and Thackeray faction. They will take time. Some corporators have joined Shinde faction. There is talk of split among Shiv Sena MPs.
Both factions claim bow and arrow symbol. Election Commission will decide that. It may freeze the symbol and give different symbols to two factions till the case is decided.
Shiv Sena Bhavan is under Uddhav Thackeray’s control. Shinde faction will try to get it.
Shiv Sena had splits before. Chhagan Bhujbal had quit as leader of 18 MLAs during Congress rule when Sudhakarrao Naik was CM. Some years later Narayan Rane who was second Shiv Sena CM had quit. Raj Thackeray had quit and formed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. He had some success in one Legislative Assembly election. Now MNS has one MLA.
Eknath Shinde had demanded that Shiv Sena break its alliance with Congress and NCP and align with BJP. Uddhav Thackeray did not want alliance with BJP. He says BJP betrayed him after promising CM post to Shiv Sena for two and half years.
Eknath Shinde toppling Uddhav Thackeray government is similar to Chandrababu Naidu toppling NTR government.
At one time Congress thrived on defections. Now BJP thrives on defections.
Rahul Narvekar was with Shiv Sena. He appeared a misfit as its spokesperson. He was son-in-law of an NCP politician. When he joined NCP, Uddhav Thackeray had said “He was son-in-law. Now he has become house son-in-law.” From NCP, Rahul Narvekar went to BJP. Now he is Speaker. For long Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had blocked Speaker’s election. When government changed, he allowed.