Is a Major Shift on the Horizon for Shiv Sena? Six MPs Signal Possible Crossover

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing significant internal challenges as six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs missed a crucial party meeting, indicating a potential shift towards the ruling faction led by Eknath Shinde. This absence raises questions about the party's unity and the future of its parliamentary representation. Reports suggest that the dissenting MPs have expressed their desire to merge with Shinde's faction, although the process is still pending verification. The situation is further complicated by the party's directive aimed at preventing disqualification of its members under the anti-defection law. As tensions rise, the political landscape in Maharashtra could be on the brink of a major transformation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 12:53 IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Internal Turmoil

New Delhi: The situation appears precarious for Shiv Sena (UBT) as six out of its nine Lok Sabha MPs were absent from a crucial parliamentary party meeting on Thursday. This absence hints at a potential shift towards the ruling faction of Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde.

Only a few MPs, including Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje, attended the meeting, alongside Sanjay Raut, the party's sole Rajya Sabha representative. The absence of the other six MPs strongly suggests a division within the party's parliamentary group.

The MPs who did not attend include Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.

Reports indicate that these six dissenting MPs have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, expressing their desire to merge with the Shinde-led faction.

However, the merger process is still pending, as the Speaker's office reportedly requires some MPs to appear in person for verification, which is anticipated to occur soon.

Currently, the verification of signatures is in progress, according to sources.

On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a directive urging its MPs to attend the meeting at 11 am on Thursday, aiming to set the stage for potential disqualification actions against the rebel members.

With nine MPs in the Lok Sabha, at least six must switch allegiance together to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.

Sawant informed reporters that actions would be taken against those who disregard the directive after consulting party leader Uddhav Thackeray.

Nevertheless, members of the Shinde faction challenged the legitimacy of the directive, asserting that it can only be enforced under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) during House proceedings, not for internal party gatherings.

Judicial precedents have consistently indicated that while a political party can issue internal directives for organizational discipline, failing to comply with such directives does not invoke Tenth Schedule repercussions unless it pertains to voting in the House, a Shinde camp representative stated.

Sources revealed that Shinde arrived in Delhi late Tuesday and returned to Mumbai on Wednesday. He was instrumental in the split of the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

On Wednesday, Sawant, Desai, and Raut met with Birla, urging him to prevent any unlawful defections.

According to the law, a merger with another party cannot occur simply with the backing of two-thirds of the MPs; only the original party can merge if a group possesses the necessary two-thirds strength, Desai explained.