Ahead of no-confidence debate, Shiv Sena maintains suspense

A day ahead of the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued to maintain suspense over their support to the Narendra Modi-led government in the House.

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said, "Shiv Sena will work on directions of Uddhav Thackeray Ji. No-confidence motion hasn't been moved by Shiv Sena, we will see what we have to do tomorrow. We have only been asked to be present in the Lok Sabha tomorrow."

Echoing similar sentiments, another Shiv Sena MP, Anandrao Adsul, said Thackeray's decision would be the last word.

"There is a culture in Shiv Sena that whatever will be our party chief's decision, will follow that. He has not directed anything to us so far. Whatever will be the decision by the party, will get to know tomorrow. We will be surely present in the Lok Sabha tomorrow," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena said it would vote against the no-confidence motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) against the Narendra Modi-led government.

The party had issued a whip for its MPs, directing them to be present in Lok Sabha on Friday.

Notices for the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Thursday due to disruptions by several parties, after which proceedings were washed out in both Houses of the Parliament.

On the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 18, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted TDP's no-confidence motion and scheduled it for discussion on Friday.