Speculation Mounts Over Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Joining Eknath Shinde Camp

Image: IANS

MUMBAI: Amid speculation that some Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) may be headed to the Dy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, there were reports on Tuesday evening that 6 of the Uddhav Thackeray camp's 9 LS MPs could reach New Delhi on Wednesday. Sena functionaries said Eknath Shinde could also reach the national capital on Wednesday. There was speculation that the 6 UBT MPs could form a separate group by giving a letter to LS Speaker Om Birla in the next few days. Amid the reports, Sena (UBT) RS MP Sanjay Raut, who has been in Delhi since Monday, posted on X: "Apna Sapna Money Money! It's shocking and revolting that Maharashtra MPs are reportedly being offered 15 crore each tonight to switch sides." Sena functionaries said UBT Sena's Parbhani MP Sanjay Jadhav has been promised a ministerial berth at the Centre. Sources also said he has been assured of a large amount of funds for his constituency. Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar too has been assured of funds for his constituency and a poll ticket again in 2029. Another MP, Omraje Nimbalkar, considered close to Uddhav Thackeray, was also reported to be in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. The UBT camp's Shirdi MP Bhausaheb Wakchoure has decided to join the Shinde Sena as he does not see a future in Thackeray's party, Sena functionaries claimed. Earlier in the day, Raut said there was no substance to the talk that six of the party's 9 Lok Sabha MPs may be in Delhi on Wednesday and are headed to the Dy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. "Ours is a cadre-based party. We have no information about anyone forming a separate group," Raut said. Raut, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, has also been in Delhi from Monday, along with another UBT Sena MP Anil Desai. Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik said, "Our operation is always ongoing. However, at present, no MP from the Thackeray-led Sena is in contact with us. But there is a big opportunity available in the Shiv Sena for all those public representatives who want to join the party." The Sena (UBT) had on Sunday claimed that all of its 9 MPs were present for the meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray. However, only 4 MPs were physically present at Matoshree, and the party claimed 5 MPs were present online. Those who were present in person were Arvind Sawant, Rajabhau Vaje, Sanjay Dina Patil and Anil Desai. All those who were present online had given valid reasons to Uddhav for their absence, Sena (UBT) functionaries said. Raut said, "All these MPs took part in a meeting called by Uddhav Thackerayji and expressed faith in his leadership. Some of them swore by their loved ones and pledged support to Uddhavji." Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of all his legislators on June 22, the first day of the monsoon session of the state legislature. Uddhav will address the MLAs and MLCs at the meeting scheduled to be held at Shivalay, the party's office at Nariman Point. The Sena (UBT) has 20 MLAs and 6 MLCs in the state legislature. Shinde Sena's senior politicians fuelled speculation about the UBT Sena MPs' shift further on Tuesday, with MLC Krupal Tumane saying their discussion with "seven" Sena (UBT) MPs as part of 'Operation Tiger' to get them over to their side had reached its "final stages" and Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik saying that "the doors of the Shiv Sena are open" to the Thackeray camp's MPs and MLAs. Tumane said, "Just like when we go to a hospital for an operation, an investigation is conducted first, reports are issued and... now, only the final date for the procedure needs to be fixed with the doctor. The operation will take place on that day... This will happen before the monsoon session... It's not appropriate for us to share all the details. But it's almost certain that they will join us. These discussions have been going on for a month, but today it's in the final stages. " Dy CM Eknath Shinde did not answer any questions posed to him on the speculation about Sena (UBT) MPs joining him.