Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Political Crisis as Six MPs Defect

Aaditya Thackeray (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Staring at another political crisis at the party level, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who is also party chief Uddhav Thackeray's son, called what's unfolding in Maharashtra a "shocking example of dirty politics". In his first reaction to the crossover of six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs, who constitute two-thirds of the party's strength in the Lower House, Thackeray junior said: "Maharashtra won't tolerate this". Calling those who are expected to switch to the Eknath Shinde camp "shameless, ungrateful, and corrupt individuals", the ex-Maharashtra minister said the MPs "shamelessly" sold themselves, staking their "reputation and family names". Thackeray accused the MPs of betraying those who helped them win in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The split in Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha contingent appeared virtually complete on Thursday after six of the party's nine MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting convened in Delhi by Uddhav Thackeray's outfit despite a whip being issued. The meeting was attended only by Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waze, all of whom have publicly reaffirmed their support for Uddhav Thackeray.

The six rebel MPs require the backing of two-thirds of the party's Lok Sabha strength to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law. A day earlier, the dissident MPs had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informing him of their decision to form a separate group. In their communication, they cited concerns over the possibility of Shiv Sena (UBT) merging with the Congress and alleged deviation from the party's original ideology as key reasons for the move. The rebel legislators also requested seating arrangements near the seven MPs belonging to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Parliament.

Reacting to their absence from Thursday's meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said disciplinary action would be initiated because a party whip had been issued. Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant said notices had already been sent to the absent members.

Meanwhile, five of the six rebel MPs were moved to Jaipur on Thursday, while Omraje Nimbalkar remained in Pune. Sources said the move was aimed at ensuring they did not attend the UBT meeting. The group had been in New Delhi on Wednesday before leaving for Rajasthan the following morning.

The six MPs are expected to formally join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena next week after meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker and securing recognition for their separate group. According to Sena sources, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Jadhav has emerged as the leader of the breakaway faction.

Sawant said, “The absent MPs have betrayed the party. We are going to issue showcause notices to them by the evening. If they do not respond within seven days, legal action will be taken. We will write to the Speaker as well as the MPs. Our party’s directive (whip) was issued, and everyone received it. Despite that, they were not present here today.”

Raut continued his criticism of the rebel MPs and claimed that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had contacted him, suggesting protests be organised in the constituencies represented by the dissidents. According to Raut, Pawar was himself willing to participate in such protest meetings. Referring to the campaign against the rebels as ‘Operation Tudwa’, Raut alleged that the dissident MPs had received “an additional Rs 10 crore” before being shifted to a secure location in Rajasthan. He also demanded that police protection provided to the “traitors” be withdrawn.