Six of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs skipped a key parliamentary meeting and reportedly aligned with Eknath Shinde's faction [1].
This shift threatens to dismantle the parliamentary strength of Uddhav Thackeray's party and could lead to a significant redistribution of power within Maharashtra's political landscape.
Reports indicate that six of the nine MPs [1] have accepted offers to join the Shinde faction. These lawmakers have reportedly submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking separate group status [3]. The move follows allegations that the MPs were offered up to Rs 15 crore each to switch their allegiance [2].
Party leader Sanjay Raut said the Shiv Sena (UBT) faces another potential split. The party has initiated disqualification proceedings against the members who skipped the crucial meeting [1].
Only three of the nine MPs attended the key meeting, leaving the Thackeray-led faction with a depleted presence in the lower house [1]. The internal crisis comes as the Shinde faction continues to consolidate its hold over the party's original infrastructure, and legislative members.
The rebel MPs have formally accepted the leadership of Eknath Shinde, further complicating the legal and political battles over the party name and symbol [3].
“Six of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs skipped a key parliamentary meeting”
The potential loss of two-thirds of its Lok Sabha delegation would severely weaken Uddhav Thackeray's bargaining power and legitimacy as a primary opposition leader in Maharashtra. If the disqualification proceedings fail or the Speaker recognizes the rebels as a separate group, the Shiv Sena (UBT) may lose its official status and proportional influence in the Indian Parliament.
