Shiv Sena UBT Crisis: The six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who have rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership are likely to formally join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on June 21, sources said, in a development
that could further weaken the opposition faction in Maharashtra.
As per News18 India, citing sources, the six MPs are expected to reach Delhi on Saturday and are closely monitoring developments regarding possible disqualification proceedings initiated against them by the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The MPs are reportedly waiting for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision before announcing their next political move.
June 21 is being seen as a significant date in the ongoing political drama. It was on the same day in 2022 that Eknath Shinde launched his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, triggering a split in the undivided Shiv Sena and eventually leading to the formation of a new government in Maharashtra.
Sources indicated that the rebel MPs could make a major political announcement on Saturday, with speculation growing that they may formally join the Shinde faction.
The buzz comes a day after reports suggested that the six MPs would be inducted into the Shiv Sena during the party’s 60th foundation day celebrations on Friday. However, both the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray camp denied that any induction was planned during the event.
The six MPs — Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure — skipped a Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday despite being issued a whip.
Their absence fuelled speculation about “Operation Tiger”, a reported effort by the Shinde camp to bring more leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray faction into its fold.
Only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, exposing deepening divisions within the Sena (UBT).
Following the boycott, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut announced that show-cause notices had been issued to the six MPs and that the party would seek their disqualification under anti-defection provisions.
“The process for taking action has started. We will make every effort to get them disqualified,” Raut said.
The possibility of a formal switch gained momentum after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that the six MPs had expressed confidence in Shinde’s leadership and were prepared to join his faction.
If the move materialises, it would mark the most significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party since the 2022 split that reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape.
