Decision to disqualify MLAs taken under pressure, court has proved otherwise, says Shrikant Shinde, son of rebel Sena leader Eknath Shinde, in Thane

Replying to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s ‘bodies without souls’ comment, Shrikant Shinde, Kalyan MP and son of rebel Sena leader, Eknath Shinde, claimed on Monday in Thane that Raut cooked up stories that were fit for a film script; Shrikant added that he was grateful to the Supreme Court for providing interim relief to Eknath Shinde and his rebel group by extending the time to file response to the disqualification notice sent by the Deputy Speaker till July 12

Replying to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s ‘bodies without souls’ comment, Shrikant Shinde, Kalyan MP and son of rebel Sena leader, Eknath Shinde, claimed on Monday that Raut cooked up stories that were fit for a film script and that he needed to use his words carefully.

Shrikant Shinde (folded hands), Kalyan MP and son of Shiv Sena rebel leader, Eknath Shinde, at Anand Math in Thane on Monday. (PRAFUL GANGURDE/HT PHOTO)

Shrikant made the remark at a support rally in Thane on Monday. Following the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Shinde, Shrikant said that till now the decisions regarding disqualifications of those who do not attend meetings were taken under pressure from the Thackerays and the court has proved that it does not stand the legal test.

Raut, on Sunday, had called the dissident MLAs in Guwahati ‘bodies without souls’ that had enraged Shiv Sainiks from Thane in support of Shinde. A few Shinde supporters also burnt effigy of Raut outside the Thane Municipal Corporation office in Panchpakhadi.

Shrikant, who was at Anand Math with a few more supporters, said, “Raut’s words do not matter to us. He cooks up all filmy stories. We have the support of the entire Thane district.

Shrikant said, “Till now, all decisions were taken under pressure (by the Thackerays). Just saying that those who have not attended the meeting will be considered disqualified does not matter. It is important to consider it legally, the powers and rights lie with the Supreme Court. I am grateful to the Supreme Court for such a decision. Soon you may be able to see another celebration when we are in power.”

This was followed by fireworks outside Shinde’s bungalow, Thane Municipal Corporation headquarters and Anand Math – Shiv Sena headquarters in Thane named after Shiv Sena leader, late Anand Dighe.

The Shinde supporters in Thane had called for a support rally for the first time near Anand Math, the official headquarters of Shiv Sena party for Thane city. However, hardly 200 people came, looking at the low turnout, the rebel supporters changed their stance and said that they have gathered to pay obeisance to Shiv Sena leader, late Anand Dighe.

Complaint against former mayor

Social activist Ajay Jaya has written a letter to TMC commissioner, Vipin Sharma, and Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, against former Thane mayor, Naresh Mhaske, for using official letterhead of the corporation to submit his resignation. Mhaske had resigned from the post of Thane district chief of Shiv Sena late on Saturday night.

“Mhaske is no longer the mayor of Thane but while resigning from the post of Thane Shiv Sena chief, Mhaske used the mayor’s letterhead. He has officially completed his term as the mayor. So, this is illegal and action against the same should be initiated,” said Jaya.

Mhaske, on his part, said, “I have mentioned ‘former’ in the letterhead. In the current circumstance there are bigger issues we need to address.”