Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Priyanka Chaturvedi responded to the recent verdict by Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar, declaring Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction as the legitimate party, stating that she was "not surprised at all." Narwekar additionally mentioned that Sunil Prabhu of Sena (UBT) ceased to be the whip from June 21, 2022, and Bharat Gogawale of the Shinde group became the authorized whip.
In her reaction to the verdict, Priyanka Chaturvedi told news agency ANI, "I am not surprised at all by the Speaker's decision. We grew up hearing 'Wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-khuda hota hai' (Only that happens which is willed by God) ... After 2014, a new tradition has begun, 'Wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-Amit Shah aur Narendra Modi hota hai'. That is what we see happening in Maharashtra."
The Maharashtra Speaker also stated in the order that the 1999 party constitution submitted to the Election Commission was the valid constitution for deciding the issues, rejecting the Thackeray group's contention that the amended constitution of 2018 should be relied on. According to the 1999 constitution, the `Rashtriya Karyakarini' (national executive) was considered the supreme body.
Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the Speaker's decision to disregard the amended constitution and raised concerns about the Election Commission's approach to Uddhav Thackeray if they did not possess the document from 2018.
"If they didn't have the records, then how come all the AB forms signed by the party leader over which these 40 traitors fought became valid? Even if we assume that there was no agreement over the amended constitution, who stopped you from approaching the EC? Did we tie your hands and legs? You only remember your constitution in 2022?" questioned the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP.
Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP at the Centre, she remarked, "You're talking about intra-party democracy, go ask the BJP if they even have inter-alliance democracy. If there was no intra-party democracy, then why did some of these people who have become traitors do not file a complaint with the EC?"
Chaturvedi criticized the Maharashtra Speaker's verdict as an "unfortunate compromise of ethics," stating, "Something that was termed 'illegal' and 'unconstitutional' by the Supreme Court is being turned into 'legal.' This is unfortunate." Following Narwekar's announcement, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut mentioned that the party would approach the Supreme Court to decide on the matter.
