08 January,2023 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | PTI
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said there is only one Shiv Sena which is led by Uddhav Thackeray and hoped the party will get justice from the Election Commission which is hearing contentions of the two Shiv Sena factions, each of them seeking recognition as the "real" Shiv Sena.
Talking to reporters, Raut said he trusts EC though "independence and autonomy" is not been seen in autonomous institutions.
The poll body is scheduled to hear the petitions by Shiv Sena factions on January 12.
Post split last June, the factions led by former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and his successor Eknath Shinde are locked in a legal battle with each of them seeking recognition as the real Shiv Sena.
ALSO READ
Ajit Pawar-led NCP to contest MLC election from Mumbai Teachers constituency
Shiv Sena's Shivaji Shendge to contest polls from Mumbai Teachers' constituency
Mid-Day Top News: Maharashtra assembly polls likely only after Diwali and more
Special | Maharashtra assembly elections: Who’s the real NCP in Mumbra-Kalwa?
Maharashtra assembly elections: Want unity, not CM post, says Uddhav Thackeray
There is only one Shiv Sena. There is just one Shiv Sena which is founded by Balasaheb Thackeray and one which is being led by Uddhav Thackeray. The entire Shiv Sena is with them, Raut told reporters.
Also Read: Courts have not been set up to validate govt's illegal decisions, says Sena
He said it cannot be called a split when the leaders who won on the Shiv Sena symbol have left (the party). They will lose.
"We trust the Election Commission which is an autonomous and independent body. We have had an example of T N Seshan (former Chief Election Commissioner). So far, independence and autonomy are not been seen in these institutions. People in these institutions are appointed by the government. We hope we will get justice and Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray will get justice," he added.
Of the 56 MLAs of the Shiv Sena, 39 MLAs and 18 of the 13 Lok Sabha MPs from Maharashtra have aligned with Shinde, whose rebellion against Thackeray led to the collapse of the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi government last June.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
