Y-Plus security cover given to six rebel Sena (UBT) MPs in Maharashtra

A Y-plus cover comprises 11 security personnel. Representational pic

The Maharashtra Police have accorded Y-Plus security cover to six rebel Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), according to an official communication, news agency PTI reported.

A letter signed by Shirish Jain, commissioner of intelligence, said security has been provided to Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai-North East), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli), and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar (Osmanabad).

The letter, dated June 17 (Wednesday), stated that Y-Plus security should be extended to these MPs with immediate effect. The decision comes amid rising political tensions within the Shiv Sena (UBT) following signs of internal dissent.

These MPs had skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in Delhi on Thursday, further indicating a widening rift within the organisation and fuelling speculation of a possible split in its parliamentary ranks.

Ahead of the developments, local party workers and leaders had issued warnings in certain constituencies. In Washim, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader had warned Sanjay Deshmukh that he would not be allowed to return to the constituency and that his vehicle would be set on fire if he switched loyalties without resigning as MP.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, the party's lone Rajya Sabha MP, also lashed out at the absentee lawmakers, referring to them as "traitors" and saying they would require protection even from the Indian Air Force to escape public anger from party workers.

Sanjay Raut says disciplinary action, disqualification process initiated against absentee MPs

Party workers in Dharashiv had also issued strong warnings, stating that those who leave the party would face social backlash, including being stopped from moving freely in their constituencies.

Meanwhile, Raut said the party would initiate disciplinary action against the absentee MPs, including issuing show-cause notices and moving towards disqualification proceedings for alleged violation of the party whip.

He said the MPs who skipped the meeting had violated party discipline and that the party would pursue legal and constitutional remedies, including approaching the Lok Sabha Speaker if required.

Raut further alleged that the process for disqualification had already been set in motion, adding that the party would take action at both parliamentary and legal levels.

Earlier in the day, Raut also claimed that only three Lok Sabha MPs - Rajabhau Waje, Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant - attended the parliamentary party meeting, while the remaining members were absent.

He said the matter would now be taken forward through formal proceedings, including notices, legal steps and organisational action.

(With PTI, IANS, and ANI inputs)