Shiv Sena (UBT) rebellion buzz: Sanjay Raut claims monetary transactions used to 'lure' party MPs

Amid ongoing speculation about a possible rebellion within the Shiv Sena UBT party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday alleged that monetary inducements were being used to persuade some of the partys Lok Sabha members to switch sidesThe allegations come as reports continue to circulate about an alleged effort dubbed Operation Tiger in political circles aimed at attracting Shiv Sena UBT MPs to the rival Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeRaut claims money is being offered to MPsIn a series of posts on X Sanjay Raut alleged that large sums of money were being offered to MPs from Maharashtra to change their political allegiance pictwittercomft19myQVD2mdash Sanjay Raut rautsanjay61 June 17 2026Without providing evidence he claimed that lawmakers were being promised substantial financial incentives as part of efforts to engineer defections The remarks added to the political controversy surrounding reports that several Shiv Sena UBT MPs could be considering a shift away from the Uddhav Thackerayled partyMedia hellip hellipmdash Sanjay Raut rautsanjay61 June 17 2026Rauts comments followed growing speculation that a section of the partys parliamentary members may be exploring alternative political optionsSharp remarks against potential defectorsThe Sena UBT leader also criticised those allegedly considering a switch questioning their political standing and suggesting that their prominence had increased because of their association with established political partiesApna Sapna Money MoneyNo no mdash Mahua jithe Minimum Support Price is fixed at 50 crore per MP 15 crore is just the advanceFrankly these people arenrsquot even worth 50000Their price has only gone up because of the Shiv Sena and TMC brand label httpstcoSrzjgg4DkXmdash Sanjay Raut rautsanjay61 June 17 2026In another post Raut referred to reports of chartered aircraft being used to transport lawmakers and claimed that some leaders had risen politically because of the support and recognition provided by the Thackeray familyHe warned that those abandoning the party would eventually be held accountable for their actions while reiterating the partys opposition to any attempt to engineer defectionsParty disputes reports about MPs leavingRaut also challenged media reports suggesting that several Sena UBT MPs had already reached New Delhi as part of preparations for a possible splitHe cited the example of Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje stating that the parliamentarian had travelled to Delhi for an official parliamentary committee meeting rather than for any political realignmentThe Rajya Sabha member further claimed that some reports were creating a misleading narrative about the activities and intentions of party MPs adding that certain lawmakers had denied being involved in any rebellionArvind Sawant seeks Speakers interventionThe political controversy has coincided with efforts by Shiv Sena UBT leadership to prevent any possible split within its parliamentary ranksIn a letter submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Shiv Sena UBT leader in the Lok Sabha Arvind Sawant urged the Speaker not to recognise any breakaway faction claiming to represent the party Apna Sapna Money MoneyItrsquos shocking and revolting that Maharashtra MPs are reportedly being offered 15 crore each tonight to switch sidesDev_Fadnavismdash Sanjay Raut rautsanjay61 June 16 2026The letter was submitted amid reports that up to seven of the partys nine Lok Sabha MPs could be considering forming a separate group or aligning with another political formationSawant argued that authority within Parliament flows from the parent political party and that lawmakers cannot independently create a rival structure while continuing to claim representation of the same organisationConstitutional provisions highlightedA significant portion of Sawants representation to the Speaker focused on constitutional provisions governing defections and party recognitionHe maintained that the legislature wing derives its authority from the political party and that the constitutional framework does not permit multiple competing groups to represent the same political organisation within the HouseWATCH Delhi Amid speculations of a split in Shiv Sena UBT party MP Sanjay Raut says I have information that Rs 15 crore each was delivered to the MPs after which they boarded charter flights from three places including Nanded and Pune We have issued a whip for thehellip pictwittercoms50XxiJV3Emdash ANI ANI June 17 2026Sawant also referred to judicial precedents and constitutional provisions relating to defections arguing that any attempt by a section of MPs to seek separate recognition would be inconsistent with established legal principlesThe developments come at a crucial time for Shiv Sena UBT which has been attempting to counter speculation about internal divisions While party leaders insist that the organisation remains united under Uddhav Thackerays leadership reports of possible defections continue to dominate Maharashtras political landscapeWith rival parties closely monitoring the situation and political rhetoric intensifying attention is now focused on whether the Sena UBT leadership can prevent another major split within its ranks