On June 24, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called a meeting with leaders from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena after a significant shift in party allegiance among its members. The meeting is set for 5 PM, as reported by various sources. Among those attending will be UBT MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, who are expected to present their stance on the recent defections of six MPs to the rival Shiv Sena faction now led by Eknath Shinde.

The Thackeray faction has been requested to appear before the Speaker to explain their position concerning the new developments. Sawant and Desai are anticipated to argue against recognising the rebel faction that has left the party, aiming to safeguard their group’s legitimacy amidst the ongoing political turmoil.

Shiv Sena MPs Defect to Shinde-Led Faction

This meeting follows the earlier announcement that six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) had officially joined Eknath Shinde’s faction on June 19. The MPs who made the switch are Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar. This development is considered a key part of “Operation Tiger”, aimed at consolidating Shinde’s influence in the party.

In the wake of the defections, UBT MP Sanjay Raut publicly urged members of the party to resist what he termed the “traitors of Maharashtra”. In a post on social media platform X, he affirmed the necessity of fighting against those who have betrayed the party, reiterating his commitment to the cause. His message seemed to resonate with the faction loyal to Uddhav Thackeray, who is under pressure to regain control.

Amid these political shifts, UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray has escalated his rhetoric against Eknath Shinde, referring to him as “Fakenath Minde” in a bid to undermine his legitimacy. Thackeray’s statements reflect a broader struggle within the Shiv Sena regarding leadership and party identity.

Reasons Behind the Defections

The MPs who have chosen to switch alliances cited financial constraints as their rationale for abandoning the UBT faction. The departures have raised questions about the strategic direction of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and its ability to maintain its support base. In this context, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has publicly attributed the decline of the UBT faction to the actions of party leaders like Sanjay Raut, blaming him for the discord within the ranks.

Mhaske commented on the leadership of Eknath Shinde, emphasising that it has provided a platform for growth within the party. He expressed confidence that additional MPs would follow in the footsteps of the six who have defected, reinforcing Shinde’s authority. His remarks underscore a possible shift in allegiance among party workers, who may feel disillusioned with the current leadership under Uddhav Thackeray.

This internal conflict reveals deeper divisions within the Shiv Sena, as various leaders and members reassess their affiliations based on the changing political landscape. The situation continues to evolve, with further developments anticipated as the party navigates this period of uncertainty and competition.

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