Shiv Sena (UBT) appeared headed for another major setback after 6 of its 9 Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi, signalling that they are preparing to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Sena (UBT) MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. The absence of the six MPs strengthened reports of a split within the party's parliamentary wing. The MPs who skipped the meeting are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
According to sources, all six dissident MPs have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The process is still underway as the Speaker's office is verifying the signatures and may require some MPs to appear in person before taking a decision.
On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a three-line whip directing its MPs to attend the meeting at 11 am on Thursday. The move was aimed at paving the way for possible disqualification proceedings against the rebel leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha and at least six will have to switch sides together to escape disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The development marks another significant challenge for Uddhav Thackeray's party, which has faced repeated defections since the 2022 split that led to the formation of the Shinde-led government in Maharashtra.
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