The national executive meeting of the Shiv Sena, chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has passed a resolution to stop Eknath Shinde and rebel MLAs from using party founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s name.

Shiv Sena, which is battling rebellion, has also approached the Election Commission to ensure that Balasaheb’s and party’s name is not used by any other faction.

“On account of the anti-party activities and conduct of MLAs under Eknath Shinde, which is designed to be detrimental to the interests of the Shiv Sena founded by Balasaheb Thackeray, we suspect that the delinquent MLAs will be trying to create confusion by establishing a new political party by misusing the name of ‘Shiv Sena’ or Balasaheb,” the letter to EC said.

“While we cannot prevent Eknath Shinde and his cohorts from establishing any political party they wish to, however we strongly object to any such party being created in the name of or using the names Shiv Sena or Balasaheb. We wish to intimate you in advance so that we are put to notice in case any such move is made by any of the defectors of Shiv Sena,” the letter read.

There were reports that rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde had decided to name their group as ‘Shiv Sena Balasaheb’.