SHIV SENA MINISTERS SKIP CABINET MEET AMID BJP POACHING ROW

Shiv Sena ministers in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, skipped the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday, apparently over ally BJP inducting Sena leaders and workers in parts of the state, intensifying the unease in the Mahayuti ahead of the local body polls.

- TDG NETWORK

A meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena ministers led by Shinde later brought truce.

Talking to reporters, Shinde said it was decided that the Mahayuti allies should refrain from inducting each others’ leaders.

While Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik admitted that there was disgruntlement over inductions made (by the BJP) in Palghar, Thane and other districts, his party colleague Uday Samant claimed there was no discontent, and said the ministers did not boycott the meeting.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray slammed the ministers of the rival Sena faction for “boycotting’ the cabinet, saying it was a selfish act and an “insult” to the people. The development comes just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Fadnavis-headed Mahayuti government.

Sources said that by skipping the cabinet meeting, the Sena wanted to send out a message to the ally BJP that it did not approve of the latter weaning away Sena workers and leaders. The recent defections from Shiv Sena to the BJP in Kalyan-Dombivli (in Thane district) seem to be the trigger point.