This initiative arose after increasing speculation about a faction of rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs planning to create a distinct group in the Lok Sabha, with intentions to later merge with the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, issued a whip on Wednesday that instructed its MPs to participate in the meeting in the national capital to deliberate on key issues, which could lead to disqualification actions against the rebel leaders.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 11 am in the party’s office within the Parliament Complex.
The Sena (UBT) currently holds nine Lok Sabha seats, and at least two-thirds of these MPs would be necessary to establish a separate group. Besides Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje, and Arvind Sawant, who have committed to supporting Uddhav’s camp, the remaining MPs include Sanjay Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Sanjay Jadhav. If a single MP from the dissident faction attends the meeting, it will not count as a valid separate bloc.
MP Arvind Sawant has urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla not to recognize any “breakaway” group purporting to represent the party.
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In the midst of this escalating situation, a faction of rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders reportedly met Speaker Birla informally on Wednesday, asserting the support of six out of the party’s nine MPs in the Lower House, according to sources.
The pivotal meeting on Thursday will legally and physically determine if Uddhav Thackeray can maintain his parliamentary strength or if he will experience another significant party split, the third since Raj Thackeray’s separation from Shiv Sena in 2006.
Insiders from Sena (UBT) indicated that the rival faction still lacks the backing of six MPs.
The Sena (UBT) confronts a potential second major revolt after four years, following Eknath Shinde’s departure with numerous MLAs.
On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that some of his party’s MPs were being offered “₹50 crore” and challenged the rebels to leave if they wished to switch allegiances, emphasizing that the workers of Uddhav Thackeray’s party fought hard for their success.
In a quick response to mitigate the fallout, the party’s high command issued a necessary three-line whip, calling for an emergency parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, aiming for a confrontation in which MPs must physically sign in.
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