Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena Faces New Split as Six MPs Defect

Maharashtra's political landscape is once again witnessing a significant upheaval, as six Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction are reportedly on the verge of forming a separate group and subsequently merging with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This move represents a substantial blow to Uddhav Thackeray, coming just four years after the original split in the Shiv Sena that saw Eknath Shinde assume the Chief Ministership with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Reports indicate that the six MPs have already submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a distinct parliamentary group. Their formal allegiance to the Shinde camp is anticipated to be announced on June 19, coinciding with the Shiv Sena's Foundation Day. This strategic timing could serve to amplify the impact of their defection, further challenging Uddhav Thackeray's leadership.

The MPs reportedly involved in this potential split include Omraje Nimbalkar from Dharashiv, Sanjay Jadhav from Parbhani, Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai North East, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar from Hingoli, Bhausaheb Wakchaure from Shirdi, and Sanjay Deshmukh from Yavatmal-Washim. Another name, Rajabhau Waje, has also surfaced in discussions. It's notable that Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) currently holds nine Lok Sabha MPs, meaning this defection could reduce their parliamentary strength significantly.

This latest development is seen as part of an alleged 'Operation Tiger,' a term circulating in political circles to describe efforts aimed at drawing leaders away from the Thackeray-led faction. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP are reportedly trying to entice these MPs, with speculation suggesting promises of ministerial berths and significant development funds for their constituencies. For instance, Sanjay Jadhav, MP from Parbhani, has reportedly been assured a central ministerial position and substantial funds. Nagesh Patil Ashtikar has also reportedly been promised constituency funds and a ticket for the 2029 elections.

The backdrop to this new crisis is the tumultuous split of the Shiv Sena in June 2022. Eknath Shinde, then a senior Shiv Sena leader, led a revolt against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. Shinde and a large number of MLAs moved to Surat, Gujarat, and then to Guwahati, Assam, both BJP-ruled states. The rebellion was reportedly fueled by discontent over the Shiv Sena's alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, a departure from the Sena's long-standing ideological affinity with the BJP. Shinde's faction successfully gathered the support of a majority of the party's legislators, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray government.

Following Thackeray's resignation, Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30, 2022, forming a new coalition government with the BJP, with Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister. The Election Commission of India later recognized the Shinde faction as the 'real' Shiv Sena, granting it the original 'bow and arrow' party symbol. Uddhav Thackeray's faction was subsequently renamed Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and allotted a 'flaming torch' symbol.

This current move by the six MPs further complicates Uddhav Thackeray's political future. The 2022 split had already divided the party's legislators, MPs, corporators, and organizational machinery. Political experts have noted that while the Thackeray legacy endures, its 'sole proprietorship' may be diminishing. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has also faced internal pressure to reconsider its alliance strategies, especially after a disappointing performance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, where it won only 20 seats as part of the MVA. Leaders within the UBT faction have reportedly suggested forging an independent path to rebuild the party's foundation.

For the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), securing the support of these six MPs would further consolidate their strength in the Lok Sabha. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and a faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, already won a landslide in the 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election. However, there have been reports of internal tensions within the Mahayuti alliance, particularly concerning a 'non-poaching' pact between the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena, which has been reportedly violated in some instances.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has reacted strongly to the reports, with MP Anil Desai issuing a whip for all Lok Sabha MPs to attend a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi. Uddhav Thackeray himself may travel to Delhi to attempt to pacify the MPs. Furthermore, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, urging him not to recognize any breakaway faction without first hearing the UBT's case, citing that the dispute over the 'real Shiv Sena' is still under Supreme Court consideration. This highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over the party's identity and control, a recurring theme in the Shiv Sena's six-decade history.