Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Fresh Rebellion as Six MPs Defy Whip, Sparking Disqualification Proceedings

NEW DELHI – The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction is currently engulfed in a fresh political crisis following the defiance of a party whip by six of its nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs). These six MPs conspicuously skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting convened in New Delhi on Thursday, June 18, 2026, despite a mandatory three-line whip issued by the party high command.

Only three Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje – were present at the meeting, alongside the party's lone Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut. The absent MPs are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.

Immediate Disciplinary Action Initiated

In a swift response to contain the damage and assert party authority, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the absentee MPs. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut announced that show-cause notices have been issued to the six individuals, formally commencing the process for their potential disqualification from the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha floor leader Arvind Sawant and chief whip Anil Desai were instrumental in convening the meeting and are leading the charge for disciplinary action.

Anil Desai stated that action would be taken against those who violated the whip after consulting party chief Uddhav Thackeray. Sanjay Raut further emphasized that a 'lesson needs to be taught' to the rebels and that efforts would be made to disqualify them, provided the Lok Sabha Speaker adheres to established rules, law, and Supreme Court directives. The party leadership informed Uddhav Thackeray about the absences, and discussions are underway regarding the potential actions to be taken.

The Significance of a Three-Line Whip

A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order directing party members to be present for an important vote or to vote in a specific manner. A three-line whip is considered the strongest directive, mandating members to toe the party line on crucial occasions such as the second reading of a Bill or a no-confidence motion.

Defying a three-line whip in India can put a lawmaker's membership of the House at risk, with the anti-defection law allowing the Speaker or Chairperson to disqualify such a member. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the anti-defection law, was inserted in 1985 to prevent political defections. A legislator is deemed to have defected if they voluntarily give up party membership or disobey party directives on a vote. However, an exception exists if more than two-thirds of the legislators vote against a directive, effectively splitting the party and allowing them to merge with another without disqualification.

Speculation of Defection to Shinde Camp

The absence of the six MPs has fueled intense speculation that they are on the verge of defecting to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Reports suggest that these six MPs constitute two-thirds of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha strength, a critical number to potentially avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law if they merge with another party.

Sources indicate that the six MPs have already signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. However, the process is not yet complete, as the Speaker's office is reportedly seeking physical verification from some of the MPs. Anil Desai had earlier met Speaker Birla, urging him not to recognize any unlawful split, arguing that legal provisions favor the original party organization.

'Operation Tiger' and Allegations of Inducement

The ongoing political maneuver is being referred to as 'Operation Tiger' in political circles, signifying alleged attempts to poach MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. Sanjay Raut has openly alleged that attempts were being made to poach his party's MPs through massive financial inducements, claiming that the 'rate' negotiated was Rs 50 crore, with Rs 15 crore allegedly paid in advance for MPs to board aircraft.

Chandrakant Raghuvanshi, an MLC from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, claimed that 'Operation Tiger has taken place in Maharashtra,' and that six MPs have expressed confidence in Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and joined his faction. Conversely, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale dismissed Raut's allegations of financial inducements as baseless, asserting that MPs are voluntarily joining the NDA due to their faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Internal Discord and Past Splits

This crisis further deepens the internal turmoil within the Shiv Sena (UBT), which has already faced a major split in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion that toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has criticized Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, citing 'arrogance' and a disconnect with party workers and elected representatives, suggesting the party is heading towards further decline. He claimed that several MPs and functionaries had expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray were inaccessible.

Some rebel MPs are reportedly stating that they are leaving because the party has strayed from Balasaheb Thackeray's principles and due to concerns that it could eventually merge with the Congress. Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar reportedly discussed that those who resorted to treachery should not be spared, with Raut even suggesting creating a 'ruckus' in the constituencies of MPs who ditch the party.

The Congress, an ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, has also weighed in, with Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad describing the rebellion as a 'betrayal of the 2024 electoral mandate,' accusing the MPs of disregarding the anti-BJP vote. The future course of action will depend heavily on the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision regarding the recognition of any breakaway group and the efficacy of the disqualification proceedings initiated by the Shiv Sena (UBT).