MUMBAI, June 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday escalated political tensions within Maharashtra’s opposition camp, challenging dissident MPs to resign from their seats if they intend to change party allegiance amid growing speculation of an internal split.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut issued a strong warning to party members allegedly considering defection, stating that elected representatives who switch sides without relinquishing their mandate are undermining democratic principles. He said the situation would not be accepted quietly by party workers or the public in Maharashtra.
Raut’s remarks come at a time when rumours of a fresh political realignment within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction have intensified, recalling the major rebellion that shook the original Shiv Sena in 2022 and eventually led to a vertical split in the party structure.
Out of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, only three Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje were present at the press conference, a detail that further fueled political speculation regarding internal differences and possible dissent within the parliamentary group.
In a direct message to potential defectors, Raut asserted that the mandate given by voters was secured through collective effort by party leadership, including Uddhav Thackeray, and the grassroots cadre. He insisted that any MP considering a shift in loyalty must first resign and seek a fresh mandate rather than retain their seat while changing political affiliation.
Raut also claimed that there were attempts to lure Maharashtra MPs with large financial inducements, alleging that offers as high as ₹15 crore were being made to influence lawmakers. He suggested that such practices were damaging the credibility of democratic institutions and undermining the electoral process.
He further argued that continued political fragmentation and party splits weaken the democratic system, stating that there is little justification for conducting elections if elected representatives frequently change parties after securing victory under a different banner.
However, Raut clarified that the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership had not received any official communication confirming that MPs were planning to leave the party. He maintained that despite ongoing speculation, the party remains intact and alert to political developments.
The statements reflect growing unease within Maharashtra’s opposition politics, where shifting alliances and allegations of defections have become a recurring theme since the state’s 2022 political crisis.
As uncertainty continues, both ruling and opposition camps are closely monitoring the situation, with further developments expected to shape the state’s political landscape in the coming days.