Sena whip gets all 62 MLAs in line

A week after Narayan Rane resigned as Opposition leader, the Shiv Sena received another boost today when the rebel leader’s supporters ...

A week after Narayan Rane resigned as Opposition leader, the Shiv Sena received another boost today when the rebel leader’s supporters fell in line with the party’s whip when supplementary budget proposals were tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly.

‘‘We have proved that we have the support of all our 62 MLAs,’’ said Ramdas Kadam, Leader of the Sena Legislature Party, after the House proceedings. The Sena, which had 63 MLAs, has 62 after Rane’s exit.

However, some party insiders said Rane had ‘‘shrewdly prevented his supporters from being disqualified or identified’’ by going against the party line.

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There is also speculation that Rane is negotiating with the Congress and NCP and may join one of the two by Saturday. His directives to supporters may be an indication that the Congress and NCP have not been able to offer a rehabilitation plan in the event of their disqualification.

When Sena MLAs demanded a division of votes on the proposals, Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar allowed the request.

The tally showed that of the 243 members—total 288—present, 138 including Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende of the Congress, voted in favour of the government, while 105 voted against it.

Those voting against the government demands included Rane and his nine supporters, who stood up and were counted as Opposition members along with their Sena colleagues.

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