Shiv Sena (UBT) Issues Whip Amid Reports of MPs Planning to Join Shinde Faction

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs, directing them to attend a parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. This move comes amid reports that a group of its MPs is planning to switch to the rival faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The Shiv Sena has been divided since a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde in 2022, which resulted in the party splitting and Shinde aligning with the BJP to form the Maharashtra government. The current developments threaten to further erode the Uddhav camp's representation in the Lok Sabha.

Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Sena (UBT), said the party has also written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. “Buying and breaking elected representatives is against democracy and the Constitution. A legal battle will follow,” Raut told reporters. He alleged that MPs were being offered large sums of money to defect, claiming that the “rate” was ₹50 crore per MP.

According to sources, at least six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs are exploring a shift to the Shinde faction. The rebel group is reportedly waiting to secure the backing of seven MPs—one more than the two-thirds majority required under the anti-defection law—before formally approaching the Speaker. Any meeting with the Speaker would require all supporting MPs to sign a letter seeking recognition as a separate bloc, and the proceedings are held in camera. The process is expected to take time.

Party insiders said the rebels are trying to persuade all MPs except Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, who are considered close aides of Uddhav Thackeray. There was speculation about the stance of Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje, but Waje told reporters in Delhi that he has stood by Uddhav from the beginning and will continue to do so. Osmanabad MP Omraje Nimbalkar is also being closely watched; Sanjay Raut linked his possible decision to the impending verdict in a murder case involving his father, where NCP leader Padamsinh Patil is an accused. The verdict is expected on June 20.

The developments follow weeks of speculation fueled by leaders of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, who had spoken of an “Operation Tiger” to bring about a political realignment. However, Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav of the Shinde faction downplayed the reports on Wednesday, saying, “There is no such thing as Operation Tiger. At present, there is no need for us to induct anybody. But if anybody wants to join us, how can we say no?”

Anil Desai, a Sena (UBT) MP, said the party trusts its MPs but remains vigilant given the reports circulating in the media. Raut escalated the allegations, claiming he learned late Tuesday night that MPs were being “purchased.” He said he was told that ₹15 crore would be delivered by that night before the rebel MPs would travel to Delhi. Sources close to Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, said around six rebel MPs were already in Delhi and could meet the Speaker later.

The Sena (UBT) has disputed claims about the number of defecting MPs. Party sources said Hingoli MP Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar and Mumbai North East MP Sanjay Dina Patil are not in Delhi and have denied plans to join the Shinde camp. Sanjay Dina Patil said, “I am in Mumbai. I am with Uddhav saheb and I will be attending the meeting tomorrow.”

The situation remains fluid, with the final picture yet to emerge. The whip for Thursday's meeting is seen as a bid to keep the party together as it navigates this challenge.