Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) is facing another major political crisis in Maharashtra after reports emerged that six of its nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament have rebelled and sought to merge with the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The development, if formally recognized, would mark the second significant split in the party within four years and further weaken the political position of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
According to sources, the six MPs reportedly submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday morning seeking recognition of their merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from either the Speaker’s office or the rebel MPs regarding the alleged move.
The reported rebels include Bhau Saheb Wakchaure from Shirdi, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar from Hingoli, Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai North-East, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav from Parbhani, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar from Osmanabad, and Sanjay Deshmukh from Yavatmal. Notably, Sanjay Dina Patil had earlier denied speculation about leaving the party, making his reported inclusion among the rebels a surprise.
If the merger is approved, only three Lok Sabha MPs, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje, would remain with the Uddhav Thackeray faction.
The political turmoil triggered strong reactions from Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the rebel MPs during a press conference in New Delhi. Expressing anger over the reported defections, Raut used harsh language. The remarks quickly attracted criticism, prompting Raut to later clarify his statement. He argued that the words he used are commonly heard in colloquial Marathi conversations and were not intended in an extraordinary context.
The latest crisis has revived memories of the dramatic split that shook Shiv Sena in June 2022. At that time, Eknath Shinde led a revolt involving 39 MLAs, ultimately resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and the formation of a new administration backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Election Commission later recognized the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena, dealing a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s political standing.
The reported rebellion also comes amid a broader trend of political defections. Over the past few months, several opposition parties have witnessed internal turbulence, with respective party members switching sides or extending support to rival political formations. Political observers believe such developments could influence alliance equations ahead of future electoral contests.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP leader and state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule rejected allegations that the BJP was responsible for the latest developments within Shiv Sena (UBT). He stated that Uddhav Thackeray should examine the reasons behind the dissatisfaction among his own party members rather than blaming political opponents.
