No-confidence motion: Shiv Sena decides to abstain from voting in Lok Sabha

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray issued a fresh diktat asking all 18 MPs to abstain from voting during the no-confidence motion. All party MPs are instead asked to sit in the party office in Parliament, not to sign attendance muster and enter the Lok Sabha during debate on the opposition sponsored no confidence motion

A veteran Shiv Sena MP, who is in party's office in Parliament, told DNA,'' The party has decided to abstain from voting. All MPs are currently gathered at the party office. MPs have been asked  not to be present in the Lok Sabha till the high command take a decision.

Another MP said BJP should not take Shiv Sena for a ride as it is one of the key NDA allies. ''Party president Uddhav Thackeray has not  received any call from BJP's top leadership,'' he informed.

As reported by DNA, Shiv Sena withdrew its earlier whip issued on July 18 asking all MPs to support government and issued a fresh one yesterday to be present in the Parliament but wait for further directive from the party high command.