The crisis within Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena deepened on Thursday, with dissidents citing fears of a possible merger with Congress as the reason for their revolt, and Maharashtra authorities extending beefed-up security cover to six lawmakers at the heart of the revolt.
These developments mark the third major political split in Maharashtra in four years, after the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party split in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The latest unrest comes just days after 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs proposed merging with the Indian National Citizens Party and lending support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, raising speculation about new political realignments.
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Six representatives are absent from the meeting
The rebellion became more apparent after six of the Shiv Sena’s nine Lok Sabha MPs (UBT) skipped a parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday despite a whip issued by the party leadership.
The meeting was held to assess support for Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and determine whether a split could be avoided. The absence of six representatives was significant because under the anti-defection law, at least two-thirds of the legislative party must form a separate group and avoid disqualification.
Only three MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabao Waje – attended the meeting.
The previous day, the rebels had signed a letter seeking to be recognized as a separate group ahead of a proposed merger with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
UBT Sena and Congress merger Fear behind rebellion?
One of the main reasons behind the rebellion, according to leaders aligned with Shinde’s camp, is the belief among many Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs that the party is getting closer to the Congress.
Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Maske claimed that several MPs had repeatedly sought a meeting with Uddhav Thackeray through Arvind Sawant but did not receive any response.
According to Maski, the representatives feared the possibility of the party eventually merging with the Congress and decided to chart a separate path. He also alleged that Sanjay Raut had become a “Congress agent” and accused him of influencing the party’s direction.
The rebels also pointed out Raut’s reported suggestion that the Trinamool Congress should be merged with the Congress, saying it reinforces their fears that a similar move might be attempted within the Shiv Sena (UBT). They instead preferred a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Raut escalates his attack on the rebel MPs
Even as the rebellion gained momentum, Sanjay Raut continued his harsh criticism of the dissidents.
Soon after the party’s parliamentary meeting on Thursday, the Rajya Sabha MP described the absent legislators as “traitors, dishonest and fraudulent” and accused them of betraying the party.
The remarks came a day after Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre criticized Raut’s approach, saying the party should have engaged with disgruntled MPs instead of threatening them.
“They have shown distrust in the six MPs and are threatening them. They are talking about beating up the MPs. Is Sanjay Raut trying to harm the UBT by doing all this? The UBT should have established a dialogue with the MPs,” Mhatre said.
But Raut warned against taking legal action against the rebels.
“You are still party members. You won the elections in the name and symbol of our party. If you disobey the whip, legal action will follow. You can see on TV, people are taking to the streets in the constituencies of these people. This time, betrayal will cost Eknath Shinde and these traitors dear. The BJP will also have to pay the price for dirty politics. Arvind Sawant is preparing documents for the exclusion letter,” he said.
Security cover for six rebels has been reinforced
Amid the escalating political standoff, the Maharashtra State Intelligence Directorate provided security equivalent to Y-plus category to six rebel MPs – Sanjay Dina Patel, Nagesh Patel Ashtekar, Om Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakshwar, Sanjay Deshmukh and Sanjay Jadhav.
A PTI report added that as per an order issued by State Intelligence Commissioner Shirish Jain on June 17, enhanced security measures have been given due to potential threats to the lawmakers.
The order allows local police commanders to increase or reduce security arrangements depending on the circumstances and directs police units across Maharashtra to take necessary precautions during visits by MPs.
In response to this move, Raut challenged the rebels and Shinde’s camp. He said that if they have the courage, they should move without security protection.
(With inputs from Yogesh Naik, Hizb ut-Tahrir Correspondents)
