Maharashtra: Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale wants party to support NDA nominee Draupadi Murmu in Presidential election

The Thackeray led Shiv Sena, which has yet to recover from the loss of power following the rebellion by 40 party legislators, on Tuesday govt another shock after the party MP from South Central Mumbai Rahul Shewale made a strong pitch for supporting the BJP led National Democratic Alliance’s candidate Draupadi Murmu in the upcoming Presidential election. Shewale in a letter handed over to the party chief Uddhav Thackeray said Murmu is a capable and authoritative woman and the party should support her in the Presidential election. Shiv Sena insiders are surprised by Shewale’s move as they internally discuss whether he is on his way to migrate to Shinde camp.

Shiv Sena has 18 MPs and Shinde camp has claimed that some of them were in touch.

Shewale lauded Murmu's social and successful political career and recalled that party supremo Balasaheb Thackeray had expressed his support to United Progressive Alliance nominee Pratibha Patil in the Presidential election. ‘’The Shiv Sena had also supported the late former President Pranab Mukherjee while respecting his achievements. In keeping with this tradition, Shiv Sena should support Draupadi Murmu and give directives to all party MPs to honor a woman from the tribal community,’’ he noted.

Shewale’s request came when Shiv Sena has yet to declare its stand on supporting Murmu or the opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha. Shiv Sena is no more in NDA before its decision to part ways with BJP and join hands with NCP and Congress for the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra after 2019 assembly elections. Currently, Shiv Sena has increased its proximity with non BJP parties and it is engaged in ongoing talks to put in place an alternative to the BJP ahead of next general elections.

Further, Shewale’s letter coincided with an appeal by the Eknath Shinde camp spokesman Deepak Kshirsagar to all legislators and MPs from across parties in Maharashtra to support Murmu in keeping with Maharashtra's tradition of recognising the women’s contribution to the society. Kshirsagar said Murmu, who comes from the tribal community, had been the minister and completed a five year term as the Jharkhand Governor. Khisrsagar’s appeal came to all parties when BJP, which has joined hands with Shinde to form the government in Maharashtra, has yet to approach opposition parties in Maharashtra on this issue.

Shewale lauded Draupadi Murmu's sensitive social and successful political career. Also, Venerable Balasaheb Thackeray had expressed his support to former President Hon'ble Smt. The Shiv Sena had also supported the late former President Pranab Mukherjee while respecting his achievements. In keeping with this tradition, Shiv Sena should support Mrs. Draupadi Murmu and give orders to all party MPs to honor a woman from the tribal community, MP Shewale urged the party chief.