Real Shiv Sena decision: BJP national leaders' silence on matter raises eyebrows

Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar

Silence is golden! No national leader has commented publicly on the key verdict by state Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar that identified the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde as the real Sena and also validated the Shinde faction's party whip as the official whip, contradicting the Supreme Court verdict. Sources said the silence could possibly be because once the verdict is challenged in the SC by the Uddhav Sena, it is likely to face backlash.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar - in his much-awaited verdict on Wednesday - ruled that Shinde led the real Shiv Sena after the split in 2022 and validated Shinde faction leader Bharat Gogawale's appointment as the whip. The SC had ruled last year that the appointment of Gogawale was illegal, which Narwekar has now contradicted.

While the verdict had been cited as a very important one having wide ramifications across states for the precedent it would lay, it was surprising to note that none of the national political leaders from the BJP took a stand and made any public statement on it on social media.

Sources say political leaders are waiting for the verdict to be challenged in the Supreme Court. File pic

"There are two things in this. Firstly, this was a much-needed decision as it endorsed the candidate brought by Devendra Fadnavis to the post of chief minister and stabilised the government. Any change in the person would have badly affected everyone's image. Secondly, there are four months to go for the next general elections and the Supreme Court will counter Narwekar's verdict for sure as it is the exact point which has been taken up by the Uddhav Sena to challenge the verdict. To avoid any complications, the best policy is silence at this stage, which is being adopted by all," senior political analyst Prakash Akolkar said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) faction mouthpiece ‘Saamana' on Thursday said the decision had "blackened the face of democracy. Narwekar had an opportunity to create history, but he trampled upon the Constitution while giving recognition to a group of thugs and the people of the state would never forgive such people". BJP leaders officially refused to comment on the matter but said that the verdict by Narwekar has laid its foundation on strong Constitutional points which would face challenges.

Speaking to the media after the verdict on Wednesday, Narwekar said that the verdict had been issued after carefully studying every aspect and it was sustainable as all legal and legislative factors had been adequately considered. "The Supreme Court had issued certain guidelines and aspects for consideration and only after consulting both sides and MLAs from both factions was the order issued," he said.

Narayan Rane, the exception
The only exception was BJP leader Narayan Rane who congratulated Shinde and termed the Shiv Sainiks of Uddhav Thackeray's group as "frustrated due to depression and repeated defeats". "If Balasaheb Thackeray were alive today, he too would have sided with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Because this is the real Hinduism," Rane said.

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