Shiv Sena Crisis: Uddhav Camp Calls Party Meeting, Issues Notice to Rebel MPs

The political crisis within the Shiv Sena deepened on Wednesday as the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray called a party meeting for later today and issued notices to rebel Members of Parliament.

Party MP Sanjay Raut, while addressing reporters in New Delhi, used abusive language against lawmakers suspected of leaving the party. Raut's remarks were directed at those he described as 'rebels', and he explicitly requested that the media not edit out his words.

Raut accused the rebel legislators of dishonesty, saying that 'dishonesty is in their blood'. His comments drew immediate reactions from both party colleagues and opponents.

Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai, who shared the press conference stage, defended Raut, stating that the language used was not aimed at any particular person. Desai described Raut as an emotionally sensitive person who has spent five decades in public life, suggesting that such outbursts were natural under stress.

However, political rivals criticised Raut's language. Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat said abusing and insulting rebel MPs was inappropriate, and that such behaviour may have contributed to the discontent within the party. Former Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also condemned the remarks, saying they reflected a collapse of leadership within the Thackeray faction, which he claimed had strayed from its Hindutva roots, causing dissatisfaction among workers and elected representatives.

The crisis comes amid a power struggle within the Shiv Sena, with a group of legislators led by Eknath Shinde having rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. The notices issued to rebel MPs are seen as a step towards potential disqualification proceedings.

The party meeting scheduled for today is expected to discuss the strategy to contain the rebellion and reinforce unity within the ranks.