Uddhav Thackeray demands disqualification of six rebel Shiv Sena MPs, alleges conspiracy

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday demanded the immediate disqualification of six party MPs who recently defected to the ruling Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking at a rally in Parbhani, Thackeray alleged that the defections were part of a larger political conspiracy involving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Thackeray called on the Lok Sabha Speaker to uphold the law regarding defections, arguing that the rule of law must be followed. He accused the BJP's central leadership of systematically weakening its own state leaders, a process he termed 'Operation Devendra'. According to Thackeray, this operation aims to sideline Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, similar to how the BJP had allegedly sidelined other leaders in the past.

The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also attacked the BJP over the Ayodhya Ram temple donation embezzlement issue. He referred to the party as the 'Babur Janata Party', drawing a comparison between the demolition of the original Ram temple by Mughal emperor Babur and the alleged looting of the newly constructed temple. Thackeray questioned the difference between the two acts.

MPs loyal to the Shiv Sena (UBT) have submitted a formal representation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking an opportunity to present their side. Thackeray noted that party MP Arvind Sawant had cut short an official visit to Kargil after the Speaker advanced the date of the hearing. Thackeray expressed faith in the Speaker's authority, saying, 'If there is a rule of law in this country, these six MPs should be disqualified.'

Earlier this week, six rebel Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Shinde. These MPs had won their seats against candidates from the BJP and Shiv Sena in the 2024 General Election. The Shiv Sena (UBT) secured nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in that election.

Thackeray has undertaken a tour of constituencies represented by the rebel MPs. Sanjay Jadhav, one of the rebel lawmakers, is from Parbhani, where the rally was held. Thackeray alleged that the defections were not a mere rebellion but part of a 'bigger political game'. He also questioned the source of the rebel MPs' wealth, citing their travel in private jets, and accused them of ignoring farmers' plight.