Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is heading for a split as six rebel parliamentarians on Thursday reportedly wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker
Om Birla, conveying their decision to quit the party. However, the reason they gave for quitting the Shiv Sena (UBT) sent ripples in Maharashtra politics. The six rebel MPs communicated to the Speaker that the intention of their party's top leadership was to merge with the Congress. which forced them to make the decision to quit the Shiv Sena (UBT). These rebel MPs—Nagesh Aashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Omprakash Rajenimbalkar (Dharashiv) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi)—also reportedly claimed that the original Shiv Sena has deviated from its ideology. Notably, the suspense over the split in the Shiv Sena (UBT) continues. Sources even told Times Now that the six rebel Sena (UBT) MPs sought recognition as a separate group in the Lower House. They submitted a signed letter to the Speaker requesting separate seating arrangements in Parliament, hinting at the split, the sources claimed. According to sources, all these MPs are expected to be present in Delhi on June 22nd, where they will proceed with the process of merging with Shinde's Shiv Sena. On the same day, these MPs may formally join or merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Earlier reports also surfaced that the six MPs will join Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on June 19, coinciding with the foundation day of the party. Political circles have dubbed it "Operation Tiger"—an alleged effort to bring Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into the Shinde camp. Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a show-cause notice to all six MPs for not attending the parliamentary meeting held at 11:00 am. On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a three-line whip directing its MPs to attend the meeting. The Thackeray-led party may seek disqualification of these six MPs for not following the whip.
