17 June,2026 01:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut said that the success of the MPs was built on the hard work of the organisation and its grassroots workers. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said that Members of Parliament's (MP) elected on the party's symbol and support base should resign from their posts if they intend to switch allegiance to another political party.
His remarks come amid speculation over possible defections within the party and renewed political activity in Maharashtra ahead of upcoming elections.
Raut said the electoral success of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs was the result of the efforts of party chief Uddhav Thackeray and thousands of party workers who campaigned extensively during the elections.
He argued that candidates did not win solely because of their individual popularity but because of the organisation, leadership and grassroots network built by the party.
According to Raut, party workers worked tirelessly across constituencies to ensure the victory of the MPs, and their contribution should not be ignored.
Taking a strong stand against potential rebels, Raut said any MP wishing to join another political formation should first resign from the post won on the party's ticket.
He maintained that elected representatives have a moral responsibility towards the voters and party workers who supported them during the election campaign.
The ANI reported, Sanjay Raut stressed that the party leadership, led by Uddhav Thackeray, had worked tirelessly to secure the victory of its MPs.
He said party leaders and workers invested significant effort, resources and time in election campaigns and warned that action would follow if any elected representative defected after benefiting from the party's support.
According to Raut, the success of the MPs was built on the hard work of the organisation and its grassroots workers.
Raut also made serious allegations regarding attempts to engineer a split within the party.
He claimed that certain MPs had allegedly been offered large sums of money and that chartered flights had been arranged from different locations, including Nanded and Pune.
The party has not publicly named any MP in connection with the allegations.
During the same press interaction, Anil Desai sought to clarify Raut's comments, saying they were not directed at any particular individual, as per the ANI.
Desai said political leaders often speak emotionally when discussing issues that affect a party to which they have devoted decades of their lives.
He maintained that the remarks should not be interpreted as targeting a specific MP.
(with ANI inputs)
