‘I am not on any rebel list’: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Dina Patil dismisses defection rumours

Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Dina Patil on Wednesday firmly dismissed speculation linking him to a possible rebellion within the party and reiterated his commitment to the Uddhav Thackerayled organisation reported ANIHis clarification comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Maharashtra with reports suggesting that some Shiv Sena UBT MPs could be considering a switch to the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena The party leadership however has maintained that no official split has taken placePatil rejects reports of joining rebel campResponding to reports about his political future Patil categorically denied being associated with any group of dissident MPsI deny being on any rebel list I am an MP of Shiv Sena UBT and will remain in Shiv Sena UBT Patil said while speaking to ANIThe statement is being seen as an attempt to dispel rumours that have circulated in recent days regarding the loyalty of some party parliamentariansPatils remarks add to a series of public clarifications issued by Shiv Sena UBT leaders as the party seeks to counter speculation about a possible splitAttendance at Thackeray meeting highlightedThe Mumbai North East MP pointed out that he had attended a meeting convened by Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence on SundayThe meeting assumed significance because it was held amid growing reports of internal unrest within the partys parliamentary ranks Several MPs participated either in person or virtually while the leadership used the gathering to assess the political situation and reaffirm unity within the organisationPatils presence at the meeting has been cited by party leaders as evidence of his continued support for the Thackeray campOperation Tiger speculation fuels political debateMaharashtras political landscape has been dominated by discussions surrounding an alleged Operation Tiger with reports suggesting that several Shiv Sena UBT MPs may be in contact with leaders from the Eknath Shindeled Shiv SenaPolitical observers have drawn comparisons with the events of 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion that split the undivided Shiv Sena and dramatically altered the states political equationsWhile speculation continues no MP has publicly announced plans to leave Shiv Sena UBT and party leaders insist that reports of a largescale rebellion remain unverifiedThe party has already initiated legal and organisational measures including issuing a whip and convening a parliamentary party meeting to prevent any possible defectionPriyanka Chaturvedi targets BJP over defection allegationsMeanwhile Shiv Sena UBT Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi launched a fresh attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP accusing it of encouraging political defectionsIn a post on X Chaturvedi used a metaphor involving snakes to caution the BJP against assuming that leaders who switch political loyalties would remain permanently aligned with the partyWithout naming specific individuals she suggested that political defections could ultimately have consequences for all parties involvedHer remarks are part of a broader campaign by Shiv Sena UBT leaders who have repeatedly alleged attempts to weaken opposition parties through defections and political realignmentsParty leadership seeks to project unityThe latest statement from Patil is likely to provide some relief to the Shiv Sena UBT leadership which has been working to counter reports of growing dissent within its parliamentary wingSenior leaders including Sanjay Raut Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai have recently met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to strictly follow constitutional provisions if any group seeks recognition as a separate factionThe party has also called a meeting of all its Lok Sabha MPs in New Delhi where leaders are expected to review the political situation and discuss future strategyAs speculation over a possible split continues to dominate Maharashtra politics Patils public declaration of loyalty strengthens the partys effort to project unity and reassure supporters that its parliamentary ranks remain intactWith inputs from ANI