Shiv Sena vs Shiv Sena: Uddhav Thackeray Challenges Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Speaker For Public Debate

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena on Tuesday challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Sinde and Speaker Rahul Narwekar for a public debate. He said, let the people of Maharashtra decide that who is real Shiv Sena.

Thackeray's challenge came a day after the UBT group filed an urgent petition in the Supreme Court, seeking a prompt hearing for its plea challenging the Maharashtra Speaker's decision to recognize the Eknath Shinde-led faction as the authentic Shiv Sena.

Expressing concern, the Thackeray faction has highlighted the possibility of a scenario in which the group of MLAs led by Uddhav Thackeray could face disqualification if they fail to adhere to the directives issued by the MLAs in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, as per the contested judgments.

"I trust and respect the Supreme Court but I am now taking this battle to the people's court," Thackeray said.

" Some people say I should not have resigned. I didn't want to stay. We know what happened after that. The governor had called an unconstitutional session. He was part of the conspiracy. This battle is now to decide whether there will be democracy in the country," Thackeray said while addressing the media in Mumbai.

Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled the decision in favor of the Eknath Shinde group while deciding on Uddhav Thackeray's petitions to disqualify MLAs of the Shinde group.

At that time former chief minister Thackeray had said, "If I was not chief of Shiv Sena, why did the BJP take my signature for support in 2014 and 2019 after the Lok sabha elections?"