MVA Meeting: Days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs switched sides with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Sena, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced another setback as 23 of the 60 MLAs did not attend the key meeting ahead of the monsoon session. The absent legislators belonged to all the major parties- Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), with senior leaders, including Sharad Pawar, Nana Patole, and Jayant Patil, also maintaining distance from the gathering.
What Did Uddhav Thackeray Say?
Uddhav Thackeray, the UBT Sena chief, reportedly raised questions on the unity of the alliance, asking if the parties are truly fighting together. He further stated that the leaders from all the parties must work together to leave an impact on the citizens. "We claim to be united as the Maha Vikas Aghadi, but are we truly united? If we are indeed united, then from now on, we must work together and remain united," Thackeray said in the key meeting, reported Jagran.
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Why Did Sharad Pawar Remain Absent?
While the exact reasons behind his decision are not known yet, the reports suggested that he remained absent due to personal reasons. Earlier, on being asked about the possibility of a split in his party, Pawar stated that all the legislators of NCP (SP) are together, adding that not even a single MP will leave the party. "Shiv Sena UBT MPs have split; none of our MPs will split," Pawar was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
The timing of the meeting was very crucial as the opposition alliance faced a major setback following the split in the Shiv Sena (UBT). Apart from the Lok Sabha MPs, reports also suggested that some of the party MLAs may also switch sides with the ruling NDA; however, there has not been any announcement yet.