Shiv Sena expels five-term MP Mohan Rawale for challenging party leadership

Rawale said that the saffrom party had been placated and was now run by middle med

Shiv Sena on Monday expelled five-term Member of Parliament Mohan Rawale after his outburst against the party leadership that the saffron party has been placated and run by the middle men. Sena MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut announced Rawale's expulsion while the latter was holding a press conference.

Rawale, who had met Uddhav's estranged brother and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on November 22, may join the MNS ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. He may be fielded by the MNS to take on both the Shiv Sena and the Congress from the south Mumbai constituency.

Rawale, who was the president of the Sena's youth wing Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena during 1979-84, was elected to the Lok Sabha during the polls held in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004 from south central Mumbai constituency, largely dominated by the textile mill workers.

On Monday, Rawale led a scathing attack against the party's leadership, saying the party was run by the middlemen. He attacked Uddhav's personal assistant Milind Narvekar for allegedly creating a gap between the leadership and the rank and file.

Rawale told reporters that he was kept waiting for four long years for an appointment with Uddhav.

Last week, Rawale had said he was quite unhappy with the present functioning of the party and the leadership. He had charged that the party leadership was not taking him into confidence and he was neglected during key decisions.

Rawale's expulsion comes in the wake of Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s diktat on last Friday that indiscipline in the party would not be tolerated. He also categorically said those displeased with the party and his style of functioning could leave the party. Uddhav had said he did not want trouble makers in the party.

Uddhav took an aggressive stand after Sena supremo's close confidant and former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi clashed with him in October. Joshi had indirectly referred to him as a weak leader who could not build a memorial for Bal Thackeray who died last year. Further, there were reports that Sena legislator and former leader of opposition in the state Assembly, Ramdas Kadam, said that he felt “suffocated” in the party.

Joshi, however, tendered an apology to Uddhav saying that he had a faith in the leadership.