Six Shiv Sena (UBT) Parliamentarians Absent From Party Meet, Switch to Shinde Camp on Cards

New Delhi, June 18: A fresh political storm has emerged within Shiv Sena (UBT) after six of its nine Lok Sabha members stayed away from a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, triggering strong speculation that a significant section of the party’s parliamentary wing may soon align with the ruling Shiv Sena headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The development is being viewed as the most serious challenge to the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction since the dramatic split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022. Political observers believe the latest move could substantially alter the balance of power within Maharashtra’s political landscape and further strengthen the position of the Shinde-led camp.

The meeting, convened by Shiv Sena (UBT), was attended by only three Lok Sabha MPs — Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje. They were joined by Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, one of the party’s most vocal leaders. The absence of six parliamentarians immediately sparked discussions about an impending split within the party’s parliamentary ranks.

The MPs who did not attend the gathering include Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. Their coordinated absence has intensified reports that they are preparing to formally join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

According to political sources, the dissident legislators have reportedly signed a letter expressing their intention to merge with the ruling Shiv Sena faction. The communication is said to have been submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for consideration. However, procedural formalities remain pending before any official recognition can take place.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the Speaker’s office is currently verifying the authenticity of the signatures and related documentation. Some of the MPs may be required to appear personally before parliamentary authorities to confirm their position. The verification process is expected to continue over the coming days.

The political significance of the development extends beyond simple party discipline. Under India’s anti-defection provisions, lawmakers risk disqualification if they switch allegiance without meeting specific legal requirements. Since Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine members in the Lok Sabha, at least six MPs would need to act together to potentially claim protection under provisions relating to group defections.

Anticipating possible rebellion, Shiv Sena (UBT) had issued a three-line whip directing all its MPs to attend the parliamentary party meeting. The instruction was widely interpreted as an effort to establish a record of non-compliance that could be used in any future disciplinary or legal proceedings.

Before the meeting commenced, senior party leader Arvind Sawant warned that action could be initiated against members who failed to follow the directive. He emphasized that any disciplinary response would be taken after consultation with party president Uddhav Thackeray.

The rebel camp, however, has challenged the legal significance of the party’s directive. Leaders aligned with Eknath Shinde argue that the anti-defection law applies primarily to voting behavior and participation during proceedings of Parliament rather than attendance at internal organisational meetings.

According to representatives from the Shinde faction, judicial precedents have consistently distinguished between party discipline and statutory requirements under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. They contend that while political parties may expect members to attend meetings, absence from such gatherings does not automatically attract disqualification under anti-defection provisions.

The legal debate has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile political situation. Constitutional experts note that anti-defection disputes often involve careful interpretation of legislative rules, party structures and the circumstances surrounding any proposed merger.

Meanwhile, leaders loyal to Uddhav Thackeray have moved swiftly to protect their position. On Wednesday, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to ensure that constitutional safeguards are followed before recognizing any change in party affiliation.

Party leaders have argued that parliamentary strength alone may not be sufficient to justify a merger. According to their interpretation, a valid merger requires compliance with legal conditions that extend beyond the support of two-thirds of elected representatives.

Anil Desai reiterated this position, stating that individual legislators cannot independently merge with another political party merely on the basis of numerical strength. He maintained that any such exercise must satisfy the legal framework governing political party mergers and defections.

The controversy has inevitably revived memories of the 2022 political upheaval that transformed Maharashtra politics. At that time, Eknath Shinde led a large-scale rebellion within the undivided Shiv Sena, resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and eventually paving the way for a new ruling coalition.

Political analysts believe the current developments could have important implications for the future of opposition politics in Maharashtra. A further weakening of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Parliament may affect the party’s ability to project itself as a major political force ahead of future electoral contests.

The episode also highlights the continuing struggle for legitimacy between the rival Shiv Sena factions. Since the original split, both camps have sought to establish themselves as the true inheritors of the party’s political legacy and organizational structure.

For the Shinde-led faction, attracting a substantial number of MPs from the rival camp would represent another symbolic and strategic victory. For the Uddhav Thackeray camp, preventing defections remains critical to maintaining political relevance and organizational stability.

As parliamentary authorities continue their verification process, all eyes remain on the next steps of the six lawmakers. Their final decision could significantly influence political equations both in Maharashtra and at the national level.

With legal, constitutional and political questions now converging, the coming days are expected to determine whether the latest signs of rebellion culminate in a formal realignment or trigger a fresh battle over the interpretation of India’s anti-defection laws.