No-trust vote: Sena to back Modi govt; issues whip to MPs

The Shiv Sena today said it will back the BJP-led government during the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha tomorrow.

A whip issued by the Sena chief whip Chandrakant Khaire said all members of the party in the Lok Sabha should remain present in the House when the motion is taken up for discussion tomorrow and support the government.

The development came after a source close to Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray ended the suspense over the party's role in the no-trust vote, saying it has decided to back the government in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress and NCP in Maharashtra slammed the Sena, saying its "farce" stood exposed.

"Shiv Sena is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, but has been regularly criticising policies of the government despite being a part of the decision-making process," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI.

"The Sena's decision to support the BJP-led government during the no-confidence motion shows that its opposition to the BJP has been a farce," he said.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said, "It is now obvious that the Shiv Sena's regular statements against the BJP and the Modi government are hollow. They were together and they will be together. They will continue this drama of fighting against each other."