In another step to seize control of the Shiv Sena, the Eknath Shinde faction has declared its national executive, with the chief minister as the Mukhya Neta (chief leader). The announcement came on Monday. The group, however, has left the post of party president untouched. 

The Uddhav Thackeray group resented the move, questioning the legal right of the Shinde faction to sack the existing national executive. The presidential position has not been touched though.