New Delhi : Amid mounting speculation over a possible split in Shiv Sena (UBT), deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde is learnt to have held a late-night meeting in Delhi with 6 MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray camp, triggering buzz over “Operation Tiger” and a possible breakaway group in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant, leader of the party’s parliamentary group, wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, urging him not to entertain any claim by defecting MPs seeking recognition as a separate group or merger with another political party.
Reports suggested that six of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs arrived in Delhi on Wednesday morning. Party sources claimed that Eknath Shinde, who was also in the national capital, met the MPs before departing for Jaipur. The development sparked intense political speculation, with rumours circulating that the MPs might approach the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary group.
Sawant said he wrote the letter following reports that some MPs elected on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol were either planning to approach or had already approached the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate group or a merger with another political party. He also drew the Speaker’s attention to Lok Sabha Direction 121 and other relevant rules governing the recognition of political parties and parliamentary groups in the House.
In his letter, Sawant argued that the Lok Sabha’s rules on recognising political parties and groups clearly require approval through the authorised leadership of a party and adherence to minimum numerical requirements. He maintained that the rules do not allow recognition of a faction acting against the party’s official leadership and authority. Therefore, any reported attempt by rebel MPs to seek separate recognition in the House has no basis under the existing parliamentary procedures, he said.
Sawant urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to continue recognising Shiv Sena (UBT) as a single political party in the House through its officially authorised leader and whip. He requested that no separate status, recognition, privileges or facilities be granted to any faction claiming to represent the party after breaking away from it.
He also asked the Speaker not to take any decision on such a request, if one is submitted, without first allowing Shiv Sena (UBT) to present its case before the Speaker’s office. Sawant further asserted that the party reserves its right to take legal action, including invoking the anti-defection provisions under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, against any conduct that violates constitutional principles.
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