Shiv Sena (UBT) appeared headed for a major split on Thursday as six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, signalling a likely merger with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and dealing a fresh setback to party chief Uddhav Thackeray.
The six MPs — Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar and Bhausaheb Vakchaure, account for two-thirds of the party's Lok Sabha strength, a number significant under anti-defection provisions governing legislative mergers.
Of the party's nine MPs, only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting convened by the leadership amid mounting speculation of a rebellion.
The development comes nearly four years after the 2022 revolt led by Eknath Shinde, which split the undivided Shiv Sena and led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
Amid the political turmoil, the Maharashtra government on Thursday granted 'Y' category security cover to the six rebel MPs. A communication issued by the state intelligence department directed authorities to provide security to the parliamentarians, while police personnel were deployed at their residences.
The move followed sharp remarks by Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Sanjay Raut, who called on party workers to launch protests against the defecting MPs under the slogan "Operation Tudva".
Raut accused the MPs of betraying the party and the mandate on which they were elected. He said the party would challenge the defections politically, legally and through public mobilisation.
Also read: Sena (UBT) MPs meet begins; Raut dismisses ‘Op Tiger’ claims
The rebellion threatens to significantly weaken Shiv Sena (UBT)'s presence in the Lok Sabha. The party had won nine seats in the 2024 general election, a performance that helped revive its fortunes after the 2022 split. If the six MPs formally merge with the Shinde-led faction, the Uddhav camp's strength in the Lower House would be reduced to just three members.
The latest development is expected to intensify the political battle between the rival Shiv Sena factions ahead of key electoral contests in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra grants ‘Y’ security to six rebel Sena MPs
The Maharashtra government on Thursday granted ‘Y’ category security cover to six Lok Sabha MPs who recently switched allegiance from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, amid escalating political tensions following the latest split in the party.
A wireless communication issued by Maharashtra Commissioner of Intelligence Shirish Jain directed authorities to provide security to the six MPs, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar and Bhausaheb Vakchaure.
The decision came shortly after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called for protests against the defecting MPs under the banner of “Operation Tudva”. Police personnel have since been deployed at the residences of the six parliamentarians across Maharashtra.
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