A fresh political storm has erupted within the Shiv Sena (UBT) after six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs remained absent from a crucial parliamentary party meeting convened in New Delhi on Thursday. The development has triggered intense speculation about a possible split within the party, dealing a significant blow to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
The absence of the six MPs has fueled reports that they may be considering joining the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. If such a move materialises, it would mark another major setback for Thackeray, whose party has already faced a significant division following Shinde's rebellion in 2022.
Of the party's nine Lok Sabha members, only three attended the parliamentary meeting—Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant and Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje. The six MPs who skipped the meeting were Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, according to party sources.
The meeting had been called to discuss parliamentary strategy and organizational matters. However, the absence of two-thirds of the party's Lok Sabha contingent overshadowed the proceedings and raised serious questions about internal unity.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief whip Anil Desai indicated that disciplinary action could follow against the absent MPs. Speaking to reporters, Desai said the party leadership was considering issuing show-cause notices to those who failed to attend despite being directed to do so through a party whip.
"They will have to explain why they did not attend the meeting despite the whip. Additionally, they did not provide any information or justification for their absence," Desai said.
The controversy intensified further when senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut publicly criticized the absent MPs. Known to be one of Uddhav Thackeray's closest confidants, Raut described those who skipped the meeting as disloyal to the party.
Before the meeting, Raut remarked, "Jo aayenge wo hamare, nahi aayenge wo beimaan-gaddar," implying that those who failed to attend had betrayed the party's trust.
The latest episode comes at a politically sensitive time for the Shiv Sena (UBT), which has been striving to consolidate its position in Maharashtra following the split that saw Eknath Shinde take control of the original Shiv Sena organization and later align with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Political observers believe that any further defections from the Thackeray camp could significantly alter the balance of power within Maharashtra politics and weaken the opposition alliance ahead of future electoral contests.
While the six MPs have not yet publicly clarified their absence or commented on the speculation surrounding a potential switch of allegiance, their decision to skip the parliamentary meeting has intensified uncertainty within the party. The coming days are expected to be crucial as the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership seeks explanations and attempts to prevent another organizational crisis from unfolding.
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