Six of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs skipped a key parliamentary meeting this week [1].
The absence of these lawmakers threatens to destabilize the party led by Uddhav Thackeray, potentially shifting the balance of power in Maharashtra's volatile political landscape.
Sanjay Raut led the meeting, which saw only three of the nine MPs in attendance [2]. The party has since initiated disqualification proceedings against the six members who failed to appear [1]. This move comes amid a deepening power struggle between the Thackeray-led faction and the breakaway group led by Eknath Shinde.
Reports indicate that the absent lawmakers are being courted by the Shinde faction. Allegations have surfaced that these MPs were offered up to Rs 15 crore each to switch their allegiance [2]. Such financial inducements are a central point of contention as both factions vie for dominance within the original Shiv Sena framework.
The internal crisis highlights the fragility of the UBT coalition. With two-thirds of its parliamentary representation missing from a crucial session, the party faces a potential collapse of its legislative strength, a scenario that mirrors previous splits within the organization.
Party leadership has not yet confirmed the final status of the disqualification process, but the move signals a zero-tolerance approach toward suspected defectors. The outcome of these proceedings will determine whether the Shiv Sena (UBT) can maintain its current standing in the Lok Sabha or suffer another significant blow to its numbers [1].
“Six of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs skipped a key parliamentary meeting”
The potential defection of six MPs would effectively strip the Shiv Sena (UBT) of its parliamentary influence, leaving Uddhav Thackeray with a skeleton crew of loyalists. This instability underscores the ongoing vulnerability of regional parties in Maharashtra to strategic poaching and financial incentives, which often precede larger shifts in state government compositions.
