Uddhav Thackeray MLC Viplav Bajoria shifts to Shiv Sena, gives Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde council toehold

MUMBAI: In a fresh setback to Uddhav Thackeray, Viplav Bajoria became the first member of the state legislative council from his camp to join the CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, giving him a toehold in the council.
Late on Monday, the CM issued a letter asking deputy chairperson of the council Neelam Gorhe to appoint Bajoria as Shiv Sena's whip in the upper House. Shinde is the party's leader in the state assembly.
While 40 Sena MLAs out of 56 had switched over to the Shinde-led Sena, none of the party's 12 MLCs had jumped ship until Monday.
Eknath Shinde wants his MLC to be Sena whip in council
Uddhav Thackeray camp MLC Viplav Bajoria's switchover to Shiv Sena led by chief minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena's attempt to get him appointed as whip is being seen as Shinde's attempt to break the UBT faction's grip over the party in the legislative council.
In his letter to Gorhe, Shinde said Bajoria was elected as Shiv Sena's whip through a resolution. Currently, MLC Vilas Potnis belonging to the Sena (UBT) has been the Sena whip in the legislative council, and the Shiv Sena led by Shinde has had no whip as it had until now no members in the upper house.
Interestingly, Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray is also a member of the state legislative council and may now have to follow Bajoria's whip if his appointment is accepted by Gorhe. Bajoria represents the Hingoli-Parbhani local bodies in the legislative council.
Bajoria said, "CM Eknath Shinde has given me the responsibility of being the whip. I will fulfil my duties. The Election Commission (EC) has given a clear order (allotting the Shiv Sena party name and poll symbol to the Shinde group), and the Sena (UBT) will have to agree to that. Everyone has to follow the rules, including Uddhav Thackeray. The party will decide, and I will issue whips based on that. There is no pressure on me. I will do what the law says."
Gorhe confirmed that she had received CM Shinde's letter.
She said, "I have received a letter from Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on February 23. He has appointed a whip, group leader and deputy leader. I have got a letter from CM Shinde, which was given to me by MLA Bharat Gogawale asking to appoint Viplav Bajoria as whip. This entire issue is being studied by the officials and based on the case in the Supreme Court, I will decide on this. I have not taken any decision so far. Any decision will be based on rules and keeping in view the ongoing case in the SC. We will examine the issue in detail."