Six Lok Sabha MPs from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction and several MLAs are reportedly signalling a shift to support the National Democratic Alliance [1].
This potential defection threatens to trigger another split within the party, which could significantly weaken Thackeray's political influence in Maharashtra and shift the legislative balance of power.
Rebel members within the faction said they are dissatisfied with the current leadership [2]. Some of these MPs said that the organization is preparing to merge with the Congress party [1].
Uddhav Thackeray rejected these assertions. "Sena is not born to merge with anyone," Thackeray said [1].
These internal tensions follow a period of legal scrutiny. On May 15, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Thackeray-led faction [3]. The court warned the group against making public statements that suggested the apex court was delaying the hearing of the split pleas [3].
Speculation regarding the move intensified in mid-May as reports surfaced of key meetings between the MPs and the Shinde-led camp [2]. The Shinde faction is a key component of the NDA in Maharashtra.
While some party figures have called for former members to return to the fold, the reported movement of six [1] lawmakers suggests a deeper fracture. The rebel MPs continue to explore an alliance with the NDA as an alternative to the current leadership's trajectory [2].
“Sena is not born to merge with anyone.”
The reported shift of lawmakers from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the NDA indicates a continuing struggle for legitimacy and survival among the fractured remnants of the original Shiv Sena. If six MPs and multiple MLAs successfully defect, it would not only diminish Thackeray's bargaining power within the opposition but also potentially consolidate the Shinde faction's control over the party's legacy and legislative presence in Maharashtra.
