Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) camp summons MPs to Delhi as split rumours intensify

Amid mounting speculation of a possible split within the Shiv Sena UBT the party has issued a whip directing all its Members of Parliament to attend a parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi to discuss what it described as important issuesParty sources told the leadership could initiate disqualification proceedings against MPs who fail to attend the meeting The move comes against the backdrop of reports suggesting that several Lok Sabha MPs of the Uddhav Thackerayled party are considering switching allegiance to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeParty leadership moves to assert controlAccording to sources concerns have grown within the party after reports emerged that six to seven of its nine Lok Sabha MPs may be inclined to join the Shinde camp Several MPs are currently in New Delhi further fuelling political speculation reported PTIThe issuance of the whip is being viewed as an attempt by the party leadership to demonstrate unity and prevent any potential breakaway group from gaining momentum The party had adopted a similar strategy during the 2022 rebellion led by Eknath Shinde and a group of MLAs after which disqualification proceedings were initiated against the rebelsSanjay Raut attacks potential defectorsShiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut who is currently in New Delhi took a sharp swipe at those allegedly planning to leave the partyIn a post on X Raut referred to reports of MPs being flown to Delhi on a chartered aircraft and accused them of forgetting the role played by the Thackeray family in their political riseHe also criticised the reported operation to attract party legislators and MPs questioning why those contemplating defection were being portrayed as political heavyweights Raut warned that those abandoning the party would eventually be held accountable for their actionsRajabhau Waje reiterates loyalty to Uddhav ThackerayAmid the speculation Shiv Sena UBT MP Rajabhau Waje sought to put rumours to rest by publicly reaffirming his support for Uddhav ThackeraySpeaking to a television news channel Waje said he remained firmly with Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and had not been contacted by any rival political group He said he was travelling to Delhi to attend a parliamentary committee meeting and would remain in the capital to participate in the partys parliamentary meeting scheduled for ThursdayWaje also confirmed that he had attended the party meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray on SundayClaims of attempts to lure MPsLate on Tuesday night Raut alleged that substantial sums of money were being offered to persuade MPs from Maharashtra to switch sides However he did not provide evidence to support the claimPolitical speculation intensified after Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik indicated that legislators or MPs joining the Shindeled party would be welcomed and could be given priority within the organisationThese developments have strengthened rumours of a coordinated effort to attract MPs from the opposition camp ahead of key political developments in MaharashtraAppeal made to Lok Sabha SpeakerMeanwhile Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging him not to recognise any breakaway faction that may claim to represent the party in ParliamentIn his letter Sawant argued that the authority to appoint leaders issue whips and determine legislative positions rests with the political party and not with a separate legislature group He maintained that any attempt by a dissident faction to claim official recognition should not be entertainedAccording to Raut MPs Arvind Sawant Anil Desai Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Patil attended Sundays meeting in person while Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar Bhausaheb Wakchaure Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined virtually Another MP Sanjay Jadhav reportedly spoke to Uddhav Thackeray over the phoneAs speculation over a possible rebellion continues the Delhi meeting is expected to be closely watched for signs of either unity or further divisions within the opposition partyWith inputs from PTI