MLC Manisha Kayande, who was recently dismissed from her post as spokesperson of the Shiv Sena (UBT), joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday (June 18). The event took place in Mumbai, where Kayande made her official entry into the party.
The Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, sacked party Manisha Kayande as party spokesperson on Sunday for anti-party activities, according to a functionary.
"Kayande is not expelled from the Shiv Sena (UBT). She is being fired as the Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson for anti-party activities," a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Previously, Viplove Bajoria became the first Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC to join the Shinde camp.
It's the party's second jolt in two days.
Former MLA Shishir Shinde resigned from the Thackeray-led faction on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena spokesperson and MLA Sanjay Shirsat told reporters that Kayande, along with many others, will join the party in the presence of CM Shinde.
Shirsat did not name Shishir Shinde, but he did say that many more leaders would join the CM-led party.
Kayande's term as a member of the state Legislative Council expires on July 27, 2024. She is a Legislative Assembly quota member.
The Shiv Sena split in June last year after CM Eknath Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena MLAs rebelled against then-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and overthrew the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government of the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress.
With the BJP's support, CM Eknath Shinde later became chief minister, and the Election Commission of India later granted his faction the original party name and 'bow and arrow' symbol, while the Thackeray group was renamed Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
The Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray factions will hold separate events in Mumbai on Monday to commemorate the party's foundation day.