In a significant development within Maharashtra’s political landscape, all six rebel Members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) are expected to jointly declare their separation from the party on Sunday. This move marks a potential end to the ongoing internal divisions and could strengthen the position of the rival faction led by Eknath Shinde.
Sources indicate that the rebel lawmakers plan to address the media in a joint press conference. During the event, they are likely to present photographs and video recordings from their recent meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with a copy of the formal letter submitted to him. The MPs are also anticipated to explain the motivations behind their decision to leave the Uddhav Thackeray-led group.
The six MPs involved are Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, and Sanjay Dina Patil. On June 16, they traveled to Delhi from various locations and stayed at a hotel in Noida. Reports suggest that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his son Shrikanth Shinde arrived in the capital around the same time.
The following morning, Shrikanth Shinde and Omraje Nimbalkar met the Speaker at approximately 7 a.m. Shortly after 10:20 a.m., the remaining five MPs held their own meeting with Om Birla. In the letter, they expressed their intention to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and requested a change in their seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha. Afterward, the MPs dispersed to different cities, including Chennai, Varanasi, Pune, and Mumbai.
For Sunday’s press conference, two MPs are scheduled to arrive in Mumbai from Chennai, two from Kolkata, with one already present in Mumbai and another in Pune. Following the media briefing, the group is expected to meet Eknath Shinde. If necessary, they may seek an additional audience with the Lok Sabha Speaker.
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The tensions surfaced after a meeting at Uddhav Thackeray’s Matoshree residence, from which five of the MPs were reportedly absent. This fueled speculation about efforts to draw them toward the Shinde faction. Sanjay Raut, a senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP close to Thackeray, attempted to downplay the absences, noting that some participated virtually and others would connect by phone.
However, concerns grew when one rebel MP was observed meeting a Union Minister from the Shinde camp. Although described as non-political, the interaction heightened the controversy. Raut later alleged that the MPs were being influenced through financial incentives and had been transported to Delhi on chartered flights. He also issued strong public criticisms of the rebels.
The situation draws comparisons to a previous split in another regional party, where rebel members formed a bloc, engaged with the Speaker, and sought separate seating before merging elsewhere. Should the split proceed as anticipated, it would represent a notable setback for Uddhav Thackeray while bolstering the numerical strength of the broader alliance in Parliament ahead of key legislative sessions.