6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs skip party meeting, likely to join Eknath Shinde Camp
Shiv Sena (UBT) appeared headed for another major setback after 6 of its 9 Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi, fuelling speculation that they are preparing to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Only MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. The absence of the six MPs strengthened reports of a split within the party's parliamentary wing.
The MPs who stayed away from the meeting are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. Sources said the six leaders have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
According to sources, the process is still underway as the Speaker's office is verifying the signatures and may require some MPs to appear in person before taking a decision.
Ahead of the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) had issued a whip directing all its MPs to attend, signalling possible disciplinary action against those who failed to comply. However, leaders in the Shinde camp argued that such a whip cannot attract disqualification under the anti-defection law as it relates to an internal party meeting and not proceedings of the House.
Under the anti-defection law, at least two-thirds of a party's MPs must act together to avoid disqualification. Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs, meaning six members would be required for a valid split under the law.
The development marks another significant challenge for Uddhav Thackeray's party, which has faced repeated defections since the 2022 split that led to the formation of the Shinde-led government in Maharashtra.
