A fresh political crisis appears to be unfolding within the Shiv Sena (UBT) as six rebel Members of Parliament from the party have reportedly approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking recognition as a separate faction in the Lower House. The development has intensified speculation about another split in the party led by Uddhav Thackeray, nearly four years after the rebellion spearheaded by Eknath Shinde dramatically altered Maharashtra’s political landscape.
According to sources, the six MPs submitted signed letters to the Speaker on Wednesday, requesting recognition as an independent group within the Lok Sabha. They have also sought separate seating arrangements in Parliament, signalling their intent to distance themselves from the official Sena (UBT) parliamentary wing.
Sources indicate that the rebel MPs are likely to travel to New Delhi on June 22 to further the process of joining hands with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Their formal induction into the ruling Shiv Sena faction, or a merger with it, could take place on the same day, potentially delivering a significant political setback to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp.
The rebel legislators are also believed to have met Speaker Om Birla informally on Wednesday, claiming the support of six out of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs. Reports suggest that a formal meeting with the Speaker may take place shortly, possibly as early as Thursday, during which the MPs could formally seek recognition as a separate parliamentary group and initiate the merger process with the Shinde-led faction.
The latest developments come at a time when the Shiv Sena (UBT) is struggling to maintain unity amid growing internal dissatisfaction. Political observers view the rebellion as another major challenge for Uddhav Thackeray, whose party suffered a significant setback after the 2022 split led by Eknath Shinde.
Meanwhile, Shinde, who arrived in Delhi late Tuesday, is expected to return to Mumbai on Wednesday. While the ruling Shiv Sena has remained cautious in its public comments, sources close to the party claim that recent attacks by Sena (UBT) leaders against the rebel MPs may have widened the rift.
Attempting to contain the crisis, Sena (UBT) has issued a three-line whip directing all its MPs to attend a parliamentary party meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday. Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut stated that the party had not received any formal communication from MPs planning to switch allegiance.
“Things will become clear after Thursday’s meeting,” Raut told reporters after meeting Speaker Om Birla along with Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai. He emphasized that all MPs had been instructed to attend the meeting in person.
Signs of unrest had already emerged on Sunday when only five Sena (UBT) MPs participated virtually in a meeting convened by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. The limited participation was widely viewed as an indication of growing discontent within the party ranks.
Adding to the tensions, Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on the rebel MPs during a press conference before meeting the Speaker, using strong language while expressing his frustration over the reported rebellion. Sources close to the Shinde camp argue that such public criticism has further alienated the dissident MPs.
As Maharashtra’s political circles closely watch the unfolding developments, the coming days are expected to determine whether Sena (UBT) can prevent another major split or whether Eknath Shinde’s faction will further consolidate its hold over the Shiv Sena legacy. The parliamentary party meeting on Thursday and the proposed Delhi visit by the rebel MPs on June 22 could prove decisive in shaping the future of the party.
Leave Your Comment