‘Congress merger fear’ sparks fresh Sena UBT revolt as six MPs move towards Shinde camp

According to sources, the rebel MPs told the Speaker that the party leadership had strayed from the Shiv Sena's core ideology. 

 

They also alleged that senior leaders were planning an eventual merger with the Congress, a key ally in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance.

The MPs reportedly requested that they be allotted seating in the Lok Sabha alongside members of the Shinde-led faction.

The six MPs claimed that concerns over the party's ideological direction had prompted their decision to break ranks. 

 

In their communication to the Speaker, they reportedly argued that the leadership had moved away from the party's traditional political stance and that discussions about a future merger with the Congress had become a major point of concern.

Sources said the MPs also expressed dissatisfaction with the party's internal functioning and leadership. 

 

They alleged that requests for visits to their constituencies often went unanswered and that support during elections had been inadequate.

Some of the rebel leaders also claimed they found it difficult to access senior party figures, including Aaditya Thackeray.

The developments followed a series of carefully coordinated movements by the rebel MPs, who had remained largely out of public view in recent days.

Sources said the first MP to arrive in Delhi was Nagesh Ashtikar, who flew from Nanded on a private jet shortly after 1.30 am on June 16. 

 

Sanjay Deshmukh and Sanjay Jadhav later arrived from Nanded on another private aircraft.

Bhausaheb Wakchaure travelled from Hyderabad by private jet, while Sanjay Dina Patil reached Delhi later the same night. 

 

Omraje Nimbalkar arrived from Pune and was accompanied by Shrikant Shinde, son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Eknath Shinde reportedly travelled via Jaipur before reaching Delhi in the early hours of June 16.

The rebel MPs were accommodated at a hotel in Noida before a series of meetings took place.

On June 17, Shrikant Shinde and Omraje Nimbalkar met Speaker Om Birla early in the morning. 

 

Later, the remaining five rebel MPs also met the Speaker and submitted a letter outlining their decision.

In the letter, the MPs stated that they intended to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and sought a change in their seating arrangement in the Lok Sabha.

The rebel group consists of six of Shiv Sena UBT's nine Lok Sabha MPs, giving it the two-thirds strength generally required to avoid disqualification under anti-defection provisions.

The meeting with the Speaker is being viewed as a significant step in formalising the latest split within the Thackeray camp.

Following their interaction with the Speaker, the MPs dispersed to different destinations.

Nagesh Ashtikar travelled to Chennai before proceeding to Tirupati on a pilgrimage. 

 

Bhausaheb Wakchaure went to Varanasi, while Sanjay Deshmukh and Sanjay Jadhav travelled to Ayodhya. Sanjay Dina Patil returned to Mumbai, and Omraje Nimbalkar headed back to Pune.

Sources said the six MPs are expected to meet Eknath Shinde again on June 20, shortly after Shiv Sena's foundation day celebrations. 

 

During that meeting, they are likely to share details of their interaction with the Speaker and release the letter explaining their decision to leave the Uddhav Thackeray camp.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has reacted strongly to the rebellion. 

 

Party leaders have reportedly issued seven-day show-cause notices to the six MPs and urged the Speaker not to accept their demands regarding separation from the party and changes in seating arrangements.

The party has also indicated that the MPs could face internal disciplinary proceedings for alleged anti-party activities.

Tensions escalated further after the six MPs reportedly ignored a party whip directing them to attend a meeting. 

 

Of the nine Lok Sabha MPs belonging to the Thackeray-led faction, only three attended.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut intensified the political confrontation during a press conference, alleging that the rebellion had been orchestrated through what he described as "Operation Tiger".

Raut claimed that rebel MPs were flown to Delhi in chartered aircraft and alleged that large financial inducements had been offered to encourage them to switch sides.

He alleged that "Rs 15 crore" had been paid in advance and claimed that the rebel MPs would collectively receive "Rs 50 crore" for defecting from the party.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

The latest developments have revived memories of the 2022 political upheaval in Maharashtra when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion involving 40 of the Shiv Sena's 55 MLAs, resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and Uddhav Thackeray's resignation as Chief Minister.

With six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs now seeking alignment with the Shinde faction, the latest revolt threatens to further weaken the Thackeray-led camp while strengthening Eknath Shinde's position within the Shiv Sena.