16 June,2026 03:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday sought to dismiss speculation surrounding the political future of party MP Sanjay Deshmukh, asserting that all parliamentarians of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party remain united and committed to the organisation.
Raut's remarks came a day after Deshmukh, the Lok Sabha MP from Yavatmal-Washim, met Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi, triggering speculation about a possible switch to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Addressing reporters in the national capital, Raut said attempts were being made to create an incorrect perception about divisions within the party.
Reacting to the speculation, the Rajya Sabha member said a "wrong picture" was being presented regarding the loyalty of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs.
According to Raut, all party MPs continue to stand with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and there is no question of any split within the parliamentary group.
He maintained that the party's elected representatives remain united despite repeated rumours of defections and political realignments.
"All Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are together and will remain together," Raut said.
The speculation gained momentum after a meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs convened by Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday witnessed only partial physical attendance.
Of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs, four attended the meeting in person, while several others joined virtually. Party leaders said those who were unable to attend physically had cited various personal and logistical reasons.
Sanjay Deshmukh had reportedly informed the party leadership that family commitments prevented him from attending the meeting in person.
However, his subsequent meeting with Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav led to renewed speculation about possible political developments.
The controversy comes amid political discussions surrounding reports of an alleged "Operation Tiger" aimed at attracting MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) into the ruling Shiv Sena camp.
The term carries symbolic significance because the tiger was the traditional emblem associated with the undivided Shiv Sena founded by Bal Thackeray.
Leaders of the Uddhav Thackeray faction have repeatedly downplayed reports suggesting that a coordinated effort is underway to engineer defections from the party.
According to party leaders, there is no evidence of any imminent split among its Members of Parliament.
During his interaction with reporters, Raut also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of encouraging political defections across the country.
He argued that efforts to break opposition parties were harmful to the country's democratic and political system.
Without naming specific instances, Raut alleged that encouraging elected representatives to switch parties weakens the political process and creates instability within opposition ranks.
The BJP has consistently rejected similar allegations in the past, maintaining that leaders join the party voluntarily and based on political convictions.
Raut also rejected speculation that some Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were considering forming a separate parliamentary group.
Reports had suggested that such a possibility could emerge amid ongoing political manoeuvring in Parliament, prompting questions about whether party leaders were in touch with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding procedural matters.
The Rajya Sabha MP denied any such development and maintained that there was no move to create a separate faction within the party's parliamentary wing.
The latest episode comes at a time when opposition parties across the country are closely monitoring developments involving elected representatives amid recurring reports of defections and political realignments.
For Shiv Sena (UBT), maintaining unity among its MPs remains politically significant as the party continues its efforts to consolidate support following the split in the original Shiv Sena and subsequent changes in Maharashtra's political landscape.
While speculation over individual leaders continues to surface periodically, the party leadership has reiterated that its MPs remain committed to the organisation and that reports suggesting otherwise are unfounded.
(With inputs from PTI)
