New Delhi: The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has launched a multi-pronged effort to keep its parliamentary flock together amid reports that several MPs are preparing to break away under what is being dubbed as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s “Operation Tiger”.
According to sources cited by News18 Marathi, six rebel MPs have already submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate group and have reportedly received an in-principle nod.
In response, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has moved swiftly to avoid a repeat of the 2022 split in the undivided Shiv Sena. Senior leaders Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut are camping in Delhi to coordinate the party’s strategy.
Chief whip Anil Desai has issued a strict whip directing all Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to attend an important parliamentary party meeting on June 18 at Parliament House. The move is aimed at establishing a formal record of party directives, which could be used in any future disqualification proceedings.
Simultaneously, senior MP Arvind Sawant has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker urging that any MP attempting to form a separate faction or merge with another party should not be recognised. In his letter, Sawant argued that Shiv Sena (UBT) is a single, legally recognised political party and that no splinter group can claim to represent it independently.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut alleged that attempts were being made to lure Maharashtra MPs with financial inducements. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut claimed he had been informed that some MPs were being offered Rs 50 crore to switch sides.
“If parties are broken in this manner, there is no meaning left in fighting elections,” Raut said, while asserting that MPs elected on the party’s “mashal” symbol had no right to betray the mandate given by voters under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
The party, however, said it has no official confirmation yet of any split and is learning about the developments through media reports.
