Six members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) failed to attend an urgent party meeting at the parliamentary office in Delhi [1].
The absence of these lawmakers creates an immediate crisis for the party leadership, as it suggests a potential defection to a rival political faction. Such a move could significantly weaken the party's influence in the national legislature and destabilize its position within Maharashtra politics.
Party leaders, including Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray, said they were angry after the lawmakers failed to appear. The leadership said the six MPs [1] were messaged and warned prior to the meeting but still did not report to the office.
Reports on the status of the absent lawmakers vary. Some sources describe the MPs as missing from the meeting [1], while other reports indicate the group is set to join the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde [2]. This potential shift follows a pattern of instability and splits within the broader Shiv Sena movement.
Amid these internal tensions, Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray have recently appeared together at a public event [3]. This display of unity between the cousins contrasts with the volatility currently facing the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary wing.
Sanjay Raut and other party officials said these absences could signal a formal split. The leadership is currently assessing the situation at the Delhi office to determine if the missing lawmakers intend to defect officially [1, 2].
“Six members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) failed to attend an urgent party meeting”
This incident highlights the precarious nature of coalition and party loyalty in Maharashtra's political landscape. If six MPs defect to Eknath Shinde's faction, it would not only diminish the Shiv Sena (UBT) legislative strength but could also trigger legal battles over party symbols and official recognition, a recurring theme in the region's recent political history.
