No question of taking back rebels: Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar after MVA's stellar Lok Sabha performance

Shiv Sena and NCP leaders reject return of rebel members, causing speculation and discomfort within the parties.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar on June 15said there was no question of taking back those leaders who had deserted the two parties.

The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after a rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who went on to become Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, while the Nationalist Congress Party broke into two factions after Ajit Pawar joined the State government along with eight MLAs in July last year.

Following a stellar performance by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (SP) and the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls in the State, there is speculation about some leaders from rival factions wanting to return.

Also read: MVA turnaround gives jolt to BJP-Shinde-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra

During the first press conference of the MVA after Lok Sabha results were announced on June 4, Mr. Thackeray and Mr. Pawar categorically said "there is no question of taking rebel leaders back".

In the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, Parner MLA Nilesh Lanke had switched from the Ajit Pawar faction to the one headed by Sharad Pawar and won from Ahmednagar defeating sitting BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil.

Similarly, Bajrang Sonawane left the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and contested the Lok Sabha polls from Beed on an NCP (SP) ticket. He defeated former State Minister and senior BJP leader Pankaja Munde.