Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to Publicly Explain Split; Thackeray Seeks to Contain Damage

Six rebel parliamentarians from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) are set to hold a press conference today to present their side of the split, according to sources. The MPs plan to release photos, videos, and the letter they submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, explaining their decision to break away from the party.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) was formed after the original party split in 2022, when a faction led by Eknath Shinde, now Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, left the Thackeray camp. This fresh rebellion involves six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs, threatening to further weaken the Thackeray-led faction and the opposition alliance.

The move is reportedly part of 'Operation Tiger', a political strategy by the Shinde camp to persuade Sena (UBT) MPs to switch allegiance. The rebels met Speaker Birla earlier and informed him of their change in loyalty, claiming they left due to ideological differences with the Thackerays and that the switch does not attract the anti-defection law, sources said.

The rebels are expected to meet Speaker Birla again if needed and may also meet Deputy Chief Minister Shinde before publicly declaring their support for him. However, they have avoided sharing the stage with Shinde at the Shiv Sena Foundation Day event to avoid being seen as voluntarily giving up their membership, which could trigger legal consequences.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued show-cause notices to the rebel MPs for missing a parliamentary party meeting and may seek the cancellation of their Lok Sabha memberships.

Uddhav Thackeray, facing another major political crisis, has launched a damage-control effort. From Saturday to Monday, he will tour constituencies held by the rebel MPs in Yavatmal, Parbhani, Hingoli, Dharashiv, and Shirdi. Sources say he plans to meet district chiefs and party workers to prevent further splits.