Shiv Sena UBT Moves to Disqualify Six Rebel MPs Amid Deepening Political Rift

Mumbai, India – The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction is embroiled in a fresh political crisis, moving swiftly to initiate disqualification proceedings against six of its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs). This decisive action follows the MPs' conspicuous absence from a crucial whip-mandated party meeting in New Delhi, a move widely interpreted as defiance and a precursor to defection to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The six MPs facing potential disqualification are Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), and Omprakash alias Om Raje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv/Osmanabad). The UBT faction has issued seven-day show-cause notices to these legislators, demanding an explanation for their conduct and absence from the parliamentary party meeting.

This latest development has significantly fueled speculation about another split within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, which already emerged from a major rupture in the Shiv Sena in 2022. Sources indicate that the rebel MPs have met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, reportedly expressing their desire to exit the Thackeray faction. A key reason cited by the 'wantaway' MPs for their potential defection is an alleged plan by the UBT leadership to eventually merge with the Congress, a claim vehemently rejected by Uddhav Thackeray.

Uddhav Thackeray, during the Shiv Sena's 60th Foundation Day event in Matunga, Mumbai, directly addressed these 'merger' rumors. He asserted, 'We didn't merge with BJP after alliance for 30 years. Why would we merge with Congress?' He reiterated that the Shiv Sena was founded for the 'Marathi Manoos' and dismissed any question of a merger. Thackeray also used the occasion to launch a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the rebel faction, accusing them of attempting to 'dismantle' the Shiv Sena. He emotionally offered to step down as party chief if workers lost faith in him, while also apologizing to voters who had elected the MPs now contemplating a switch.

The timing of this internal rebellion is particularly sensitive, as it overshadowed the Shiv Sena's 60th anniversary celebrations, which saw rival factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde holding separate events. Both camps engaged in an aggressive contest to assert their political strength and lay claim to the legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray, with posters and banners dominating key locations in Mumbai. While the Uddhav camp maintained it was the 'real Shiv Sena' carrying forward the founder's vision, the Shinde faction positioned its leader as the rightful torchbearer of Thackeray's Hindutva legacy.

The legal ramifications of the MPs' actions are now a central point of discussion. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has argued that the absence of the rebels amounted to disobeying the party's directives and is grounds for their membership cancellation under the anti-defection law. However, legal experts offer differing opinions on whether non-attendance at a party meeting, rather than a vote within the House, constitutes a valid ground for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Some argue that the 'whip' primarily applies to actions within the legislative House, while others contend that 'voluntarily giving up party membership' through such defiance can trigger disqualification proceedings.

If the six MPs successfully defect, they would need to constitute two-thirds of the legislative party to potentially avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law by merging with another party. This situation marks a significant setback for Uddhav Thackeray, as it could further diminish the UBT faction's strength in the Lok Sabha, potentially reducing them to only three MPs. This ongoing internal strife highlights the profound challenges facing both Shiv Sena factions, with the UBT group battling an existential crisis and the Shinde faction striving for relevance amidst the dominant presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra's political landscape.