Difficult to comment on Shiv Sena (UBT) split until absent MPs explain: Manisha Kayande

Amid growing speculation over a possible split within Shiv Sena UBT Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande on Friday said it would be premature to draw conclusions until the six MPs who skipped the partys parliamentary meeting explain the reasons for their absenceHer remarks come a day after six of the nine Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MPs failed to attend a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi triggering fresh political debate over the future of the Uddhav Thackerayled factionKayande urges caution over split speculationSpeaking to ANI Kayande said it would be inappropriate to comment on the reported split before hearing from the MPs concernedYesterday a meeting of Shiv Sena UBT MPs was called and six people did not attend Until they present their views on this matter and why they did not attend it is difficult for us to comment on it she saidThe absence of six MPs from the meeting has fuelled speculation that a section of the partys parliamentary wing could be considering a separate political courseHowever no formal announcement has been made by any of the MPs regarding their future plansShiv Sena leader targets Sanjay RautKayande also criticised Shiv Sena UBT Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut over his remarks directed at the absent MPsWhat more can be expected from Sanjay Raut This is not the first time he has done this she saidReferring to Rauts comments against the dissident MPs Kayande questioned whether such language was appropriate for a Member of ParliamentYou are an MP and the same MLAs elected you to the Rajya Sabha Does it behove him to abuse those who want to leave the party she askedShe further added People are seeing the unparliamentary language he usesSix MPs skipped Delhi meetingThe political controversy intensified on Thursday when only three of the nine Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MPs attended a parliamentary party meeting in New DelhiArvind Sawant Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje were present at the meeting convened by the party leadershipThe six MPs who remained absent were Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Sanjay Deshmukh Sanjay Jadhav Sanjay Dina Patil Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb WakchaureThe meeting was held after the party issued a whip directing all MPs to attendRaut announces action against absent MPsFollowing the meeting Raut said the party had begun disciplinary proceedings against the six absent lawmakersThe process for taking action has started Raut said during a press conferenceWe will make every effort to get them disqualified If the Speaker of the Lok Sabha works according to the rules the law and the Supreme Courts directives these people will be disqualified he addedThe party has also issued showcause notices to the six MPs seeking explanations for their absence from the meetingShiv Sena dismisses reports of inductionMeanwhile the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena has rejected reports that the six absent MPs were set to formally join the party during its Foundation Day event at NESCO in Mumbai on FridaySources in the Shiv Sena said no such induction programme was plannedThe clarification came after speculation intensified that some MPs from the Uddhav Thackerayled faction could formally switch allegiance to the Shinde campWhile leaders from both sides continue to trade claims and counterclaims the absence of six MPs from the parliamentary meeting has kept Maharashtras political circles focused on the possibility of further developments within the Shiv Sena UBTThe responses of the six MPs to the showcause notices and any future political decisions by them are expected to determine the next phase of the ongoing political standoffWith inputs from ANI