Shiv Sena UBT Faces Defection Rumours as Six MPs Skip Meeting
A severe internal crisis has hit the Shiv Sena (UBT) after six out of its nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament skipped a critical party meeting in New Delhi. The mass absence has triggered intense speculation regarding a potential defection to the National Democratic Alliance.
Key Highlights
- Six out of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha lawmakers failed to attend a mandatory party meeting in New Delhi despite an official whip.
- Senior leader Ambadas Danve dismissed the division rumors during the party’s 60th foundation day, promising swift institutional replacement for any defectors.
- Factional rivals from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena dismissed the counter-narratives from the Thackeray camp as politically motivated defense mechanisms.
- The ongoing friction traces back to the foundational 2022 rebellion that split the original regional organization into two distinct political entities.
Amid renewed speculation over a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), party MLC Ambadas Danve asserted that the organisation remains united under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and said the cadre would ‘act swiftly’ on whatever direction is given by him.
Speaking on the party’s 60th foundation day on Friday, Danve said workers were highly enthusiastic and confident about the organisation’s future, adding that those who leave would be replaced by new faces.
‘Today is the party’s 60th foundation day. Workers are very enthusiastic. We will act swiftly on whatever orders Uddhav Thackeray gives. We will work to replace those who have left with new people… The organisation is with us. The public will not support traitors. We will have to carry out Operation Todo, not Operation Todwa,’ Danve said.
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, while reacting to UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s remarks on speculated MPs likely to shift to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, said such comments are habitual and politically motivated, adding that they benefit the opposition faction.
‘This is their habit. They use this language every day, and it is benefiting their party a lot. Their people in the opposition are not able to control themselves,’ he told ANI.
The political divide within the Shiv Sena dates back to 2022, when Eknath Shinde, along with a large number of MLAs, rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, leading to a split in the party. Subsequent political and legal battles resulted in the Election Commission recognising the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and allotting it the party’s traditional ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction came to be known as Shiv Sena (UBT).
Dark clouds began to gather over the Shiv Sena (UBT) as six of the nine party Lok Sabha MPs did not attend a meeting called in New Delhi. Their absence fueled speculation about them joining the Shiv Sena and the National Democratic Alliance.
Recent developments have once again brought the factional divide into focus, as six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs did not attend a meeting called in New Delhi, triggering speculation of a possible shift.
The development comes amidst rumours of another potential split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is being called ‘Operation Tiger’. Speculation intensified when six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, including Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure, remained absent despite a party whip.
Conversely, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje, and Sanjay Raut attended the party’s parliamentary meeting.
History of the Shiv Sena Factional Split
The structural instability inside the regional party originates from June 2022, when current Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led a massive internal insurrection against Uddhav Thackeray. This rebellion successfully fractured the core legislative strength of the organization. Following prolonged legal contentions, the Election Commission of India eventually declared the Shinde group as the legitimate administrative heir, transferring the iconic ‘bow and arrow’ electoral symbol to them while leaving Thackeray with the newly formed Shiv Sena (UBT) banner.
FAQs
What triggered the recent split rumors within Shiv Sena UBT?
The rumors intensified after six out of the nine elected Lok Sabha lawmakers failed to attend an official parliamentary meeting convened in New Delhi, defying an active party whip.
Which Shiv Sena UBT MPs skipped the New Delhi meeting?
The six absent legislators identified during the parliamentary session are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
What is Operation Tiger in Maharashtra politics?
Operation Tiger is the political phrase used by local observers and media to describe the rumored operational attempt to transition disgruntled Thackeray loyalists into the ruling alliance.
How did the Shinde faction respond to the defection claims?
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde dismissed the allegations from the Thackeray camp, stating that such daily claims are habitual, politically motivated, and designed to cover up internal panic.
