All six rebel Lok Sabha MPs from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction are expected to officially join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena today at 3 PM. This significant political maneuver is anticipated to deepen the ongoing crisis for Uddhav Thackeray's faction and reshape the political landscape in Maharashtra.
Defection Aims to Bolster Shinde's Strength
Sources indicate that the formal merger will provide the Shinde faction with the necessary two-thirds majority of the original Shiv Sena's parliamentary strength. This is crucial for avoiding potential disqualification under India's anti-defection law, which mandates that a split requires at least two-thirds of a party's legislators to form a separate group.
The six MPs who reportedly skipped a Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting on June 17, signaling their dissent, include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs, meaning six defections meet the two-thirds threshold.
Rebel MPs Confirm Their Move
On Sunday, two of the dissident MPs, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, publicly confirmed their decision to align with the Shinde camp. Ashtikar cited criticism directed at him and other rebels after June 18 as a key factor in their departure from the Thackeray-led party. He emphasized that his decision was not driven by animosity towards Thackeray or party leader Sanjay Raut but rather by the general criticism.
Nimbalkar also confirmed his intention to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena following discussions with his supporters, despite efforts by the Thackeray camp, including visits from MLAs Kailas Patil and Varun Sardesai, to persuade him to remain.
Thackeray Calls Meeting, Fadnavis Hails 'Operation Tiger'
In response to the looming defections, Shiv Sena (UBT) has called a crucial meeting of all its MLAs and MLCs at 2:30 PM today at its Shivalay office in Nariman Point. This meeting coincides with the first day of the Maharashtra Legislature's monsoon session and is seen as an attempt by Uddhav Thackeray to consolidate his remaining legislators amid fears of further splits. Thackeray is expected to address party members and outline their future strategy.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the success of what he termed 'Operation Tiger', expressing confidence in the health and growing support for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Fadnavis attributed the crisis to Uddhav Thackeray's leadership.
Uddhav Thackeray Vows to Fight Back
Despite the setbacks, Uddhav Thackeray has signaled his resolve to fight back, addressing party workers in Bhandup. He stated that he remains undeterred and asserted that his faction represents the true Shiv Sena. Thackeray also criticized the BJP for its perceived role in instigating the crisis and accused them of 'stealing children of others', referring to the defections. He reiterated that only Bal Thackeray could be the 'Shiv Sena pramukh' and warned external parties against interference in their internal affairs.