Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces New Rebellion as Six MPs Eye Shinde Camp

The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), or Shiv Sena (UBT), is currently in the throes of a significant internal rebellion, with six of its nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) reportedly poised to defect to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This potential exodus marks another critical juncture for the party, which has experienced multiple splits throughout its 60-year history. The crisis escalated on Thursday, June 18, when the six MPs notably abstained from an emergency parliamentary party meeting convened in New Delhi, despite a whip having been issued by the Shiv Sena (UBT) a day prior.

The six MPs who skipped the meeting and are now at the center of the defection rumors are Nagesh Ashtikar (Hingoli), Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi). These lawmakers, who constitute two-thirds of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha strength, are crucial for navigating the anti-defection law, which mandates that at least two-thirds of a party's legislative members must switch sides to avoid disqualification. Reports suggest that these 'rebel' MPs have already submitted letters to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The Speaker's office is understood to require the physical appearance of some MPs for verification, a step 'expected to happen in the coming days'.

In response to this looming defection, Sanjay Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s lone Rajya Sabha MP, and Arvind Sawant, the party's Lok Sabha floor leader, confirmed that 'necessary proceedings to disqualify the six traitors under the anti-defection law will be initiated soon.' Sawant also stated that show-cause notices would be issued to the absent MPs, giving them seven days to respond, failing which the party would seek their disqualification from the Lok Sabha Speaker. However, sources within the Shinde camp have questioned the validity of the whip for internal party meetings, arguing that it only applies to House proceedings under the Tenth Schedule.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, addressing party workers on the Shiv Sena's 60th Foundation Day, alluded to the ongoing political developments, stating, 'This is just the trailer and the film is yet to come.' He further remarked that a 'tiger is born to hunt and moves alone,' taking a veiled dig at Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde, who led the original rebellion in 2022 that split the Shiv Sena and brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, has positioned himself as the true ideological successor to Bal Thackeray's legacy.

Uddhav Thackeray, amid reports of this fresh rebellion, expressed his willingness to step down from the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership if the party members no longer had faith and trust in him. Addressing supporters on the 60th anniversary of the Shiv Sena, Thackeray, visibly emotional, affirmed his resolve to fight challenges but stated, 'I would be happy if someone from the party ranks becomes the next Shiv Sena president, but I will not let it pass on in the hands of thieves.' He reiterated that he had no 'lust for leadership' and apologized to voters for the impending exodus, emphasizing that the party was formed to fight for Marathi rights and protect Hindutva, not to merge with others.

The current political turmoil echoes the 2022 split, where Eknath Shinde, supported by a majority of MLAs, rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's decision to align with the Indian National Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The Election Commission of India subsequently recognized the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena, allotting them the original party name and the 'bow and arrow' symbol, while Thackeray's faction became Shiv Sena (UBT) with a new 'Mashaal' (Torch) symbol. This latest development, if materialized, would be the fifth major split in the Shiv Sena's history, further reshaping Maharashtra's political landscape.