Six of nine [1] Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs are preparing to break away and join the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde.
This potential exodus threatens the stability of Uddhav Thackeray's leadership and could significantly shift the balance of power within Maharashtra's fragmented political landscape. The move would leave the party with a depleted presence in the lower house of Parliament.
Thackeray called an urgent meeting at his residence, Matoshree, in Mumbai to address the crisis [2]. The gathering comes as reports emerge that the MPs are likely to align with Shinde's camp as part of a strategy referred to as “Operation Tiger” [3].
Senior journalist Varun Singh described the internal turmoil during a broadcast on NDTV. Singh said, "Uddhav is driving MPs away" [4].
According to reports, the discontent among the legislators stems from Thackeray's leadership style and decision-making processes [3]. The six MPs [1] represent a majority of the party's current nine-member [1] delegation in the Lok Sabha, making the split a critical blow to the party's organizational strength.
Thackeray has previously navigated several splits within the Shiv Sena, but the loss of a majority of his federal representatives would mark a new level of instability. The Shinde faction has consistently sought to consolidate the original party base, and absorbing these members would further legitimize Shinde's claim to the party's legacy [2].
As the meeting at Matoshree unfolds, the party's future depends on whether Thackeray can resolve the grievances of the MPs, or if the break-away will be finalized this week [2].
“Uddhav is driving MPs away.”
The potential departure of six MPs would effectively strip Uddhav Thackeray of his legislative leverage in the Lok Sabha. By moving toward Eknath Shinde, these members would solidify the rival faction's dominance over the Shiv Sena brand and weaken the UBT's position as a viable political alternative in Maharashtra.
