Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant Explains Party's Big Change In Lok Sabha

Arvind Sawant said, "You know his (Eknath Shinde's) son is an MP. Is he going to join his father or remain with Uddhav Thackeray ji? Udhav Thackeray ji knows certain people. We do. We are accepting this challenge".

Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant today played down the choice of a new Chief Whip in Lok Sabha -- viewed largely as a precautionary measure to prevent a replay of the split that took place in the assembly. He said the earlier whip  Bhawna Gawli, had concerns about being on the radar of the Enforcement Directorate.

"She spoke of joining the BJP. She was not attending meetings. So we had to have someone," Mr Sawant told NDTV in an exclusive interview when asked about the naming of Ranjan Vichare as the new Whip.

Asked if there was no concern about MPs changing camp, he said, "You know his (Eknath Shinde's) son is an MP. Is he going to join his father or remain with Uddhav Thackeray ji? Udhav Thackeray ji knows certain people. We do. We are accepting this challenge".

"The day Uddhavji left Varsha (the Chief Minister's official residence), the entire Maharashtra cried. That is the asset of Shiv Sena. They believe in Uddhav ji, (party founder) Balasehab Thackeray and the Shiv Sena. They do not believe in any faction," Mr Sawant told NDTV, reiterating that the current crisis was just a split in the legislative party and not in the Shiv Sena.