Shiv Sena split due to internal disputes, it's unfair to blame Fadnavis for it: BJP legislator

BJP MLC Parinay Fuke on Wednesday said the Shiv Sena split in 2022 as a result of its leadership and internal disputes, and claimed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did not play any role in it.

Talking to reporters on the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature complex here, he also said the style of leadership in the undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray led to dissatisfaction among its leaders. ''The revolt led by Eknath Shinde was a result of the treatment meted out to him and other leaders within the party. It is unfair to blame Devendra Fadnavis for that,'' Fuke said. He was responding to remarks made earlier in the day by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who questioned Fadnavis' role in the political realignments in Maharashtra and asked, ''Apart from breaking parties, what good has Fadnavis done?'' Countering his charges, Fuke said, ''The truth is, leaders like Sanjay Raut created a suffocating environment within their own party. It was their behaviour that pushed loyal leaders like Shinde to a breaking point. Those calling others traitors should reflect on their own conduct.'' Fadnavis had no role in instigating the split, he added. ''It is convenient to point fingers at the BJP, but the real reasons lie within the (undivided) Shiv Sena's own leadership and internal disputes,'' he said.

The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde and 39 party MLAs rebelled against its leadership, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government then helmed by Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde then joined hands with the BJP to form a government, and became the chief minister. The Election Commission later recognised the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena and granted it permission to use the bow and arrow symbol, while the Thackeray-led camp was allotted the name of Shiv Sena (UBT) and 'mashaal' (flaming torch) as its symbol. In July 2022, Shinde, who was then the CM, had said in the legislative assembly that Fadnavis was the ''real artist'' behind his rebellion that led to the split of Shiv Sena.

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