On expected lines, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday announced that it will support the NDA’s Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu vis-a-vis the non-BJP Opposition’s contender for the top post, Yashwant Sinha.
Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray made the formal announcement after a series of consultations with the party MPs, MLAs, and other leaders including tribals.
“There have been absolutely no pressures from the MPs, as claimed in the media. However, many Shiv Sena leaders and office-bearers from tribal communities have requested the USA We have taken a decision to support Draupadi Murmu for the President’s elections,” Uddhav Thackeray told the media persons.
The Shiv Sena chief recalled that in the past when it was with the NDA, it had supported the rival candidates in Presidential polls.
“For the first time, a tribal woman is slated to occupy the country’s top post… We are not small-minded and we shall back her candidature. Even in the past, we had supported the candidature of Pratibha Patil (2007), and Pranab Mukherjee (2012) when we were with the NDA,” said Uddhav Thackeray.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shiv Sena MP and Chief Spokesperson Sanjay Raut had given strong indications of the party’s possible stance while interacting with the media.
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“Backing Draupadi Murmu does not mean supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party. The decision will be taken keeping in view public sentiments,” Raut made it clear, amid a clamor from its former saffron ally Bharatiya Janata Party to toe its (BJP) line.
Raut said on Monday, that Uddhav Thackeray had discussed the Presidential polls issue and other matters in detail at a meeting of most Shiv Sena MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha besides some other top leaders.
“In the past, even Balasaheb Uddhav Thackeray used to hold such consultations with party leaders on major issues, and the decisions were made on the basis of the view of their colleagues. At yesterday’s meeting, the candidature of Draupadi Murmu was also discussed,” said Raut.
While emphasizing that supporting Draupadi Murmu doesn’t imply backing the BJP, he said the Shiv Sena has all the goodwill for Yashwant Sinha.
“A majority of our MPs were present at yesterday’s meeting barring Shinde’s son, Dr. Shrikant Shinde, and Bhavana Gawali. The party does not make any decisions under pressure and whatever is finally decided, would be binding on all MPs and MLAs,” Raut said.
Nationalist Congress Party and Congress, the other Maha Vikas Aghadi – of which the Shiv Sena is a party – have not yet reacted to the developments, though sources indicate both parties are not too surprised by its ally’s decision.
Meanwhile, both Draupadi Murmu and Yashwant Sinha are expected to be in Mumbai this week to campaign for the Presidential elections and are likely to meet the top leaders of all political parties to seek their support.
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