The six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who were said to have rebelled against the faction did not turn up at the event organized by the party to mark six years of the Shiv Sena. This development has increased speculation of a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, as it comes a day after the six MPs skipped a key party meeting.
The rebel MPs are reportedly in the process of forming their own group and joining the Shiv Sena faction led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. If the breakup takes place, it will be the second blow for Uddhav Thackeray in two years. In 2022, Eknath Shinde led a major rebellion that split the Shiv Sena in two.
It is worth noting that the six MPs – Sanjay Dina Patel, Nagesh Patel Ashtekar, Om Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakshor, Sanjay Deshmukh and Sanjay Jadhav, were also not seen at the 60th Foundation Day event organized by the Shinde camp.
However, some Shiv Sena leaders said that a formal announcement on the political developments would be made after two days.
Uddhav Thackeray’s clarification on Congress merger
During the 60th Foundation Day event in Matunga, Uddhav Thackeray addressed his camp’s supporters and also addressed reports of “fear” among rebel MPs over the UBT Sena’s merger with the Congress. “We have not merged with the BJP after an alliance of 30 years. Why should we merge with the Congress?” he said.
He said that the Shiv Sena was formed for ‘Marathi Manoos’ and that there was no question of any merger.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske claimed that the rebel MPs feared the possibility of the UBT Sena eventually merging with the Congress and decided to chart a separate course. He also described Sanjay Raut as a “Congress agent”.
Uddhav offers to resign
During the same speech on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray also expressed his willingness to step down as he condemned the BJP for trying to “eliminate” the Shiv Sena. “I am not someone who runs away in the face of challenges, but if you do not trust me, I am ready to step down,” Thackeray said at the event.
During the event, Uddhav also apologized to voters in the constituencies represented by the rebel MPs. “People are losing confidence in democracy,” he said. “I am concerned that if this (unlawful witch-hunt of elected representatives) continues, the country may head towards chaos.”
Uddhav Sena is facing a major crisis in Maharashtra. On Thursday, the six rebel Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi despite a whip issued by the party leadership. Only three MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabao Waje – attended the meeting. This move made the cracks within the party more apparent.
Later that day, Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut attacked his abusive tirade against the rebels, calling the absent legislators “traitors, dishonest and frauds”. In the midst of the escalating political standoff, the Maharashtra Intelligence Directorate provided security equivalent to Y-plus category to the six rebel MPs.
