Maharashtra: Eye on chairperson's poll, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray not to quit council

MUMBAI: Over a month after he stepped down as CM and announced his resignation as member of the legislative council, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is still to quit his Upper House membership.
Sena sources said Uddhav was unlikely to resign, but would instead continue to ensure that the party's newly appointed leader of opposition in the council, Ambadas Danve, retains his post. Besides, the Sena is keen to ensure more votes for the MVA when election for the council chairperson is held. "Uddhavji hasn't given a formal letter of resignation. So, he is still an MLC and he will continue. He will not attend any session, but will retain his membership so that the Sena's and the MVA's numbers do not fall short during the election of the chairperson," a senior Sena functionary said.
"At present, the post of chairperson is vacant and deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe (Sena) is holding charge. If the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government gets the 12 nominees from the governor's quota appointed, every MLC will count during the chairperson's election. So, it has been decided that Uddhavji will not resign for now. If the chairperson's election is held before the 12 members are nominated, the MVA can easily win it. So, Uddhavji's vote is important," the functionary added.
The Sena has 12 members in the legislative council and has claimed the support of one independent. The NCP has 10 members and the backing of an independent. The BJP has the maximum of 24 members, while the Congress has 10.