6 rebel Uddhav Sena MPs join Eknath Shinde's faction after days of speculation

The induction of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into Eknath Shinde's camp is being viewed as a major political gain for the ruling faction and a setback for Uddhav Thackeray.

In Short

• MPs skipped Uddhav Thackeray-led party meeting in Delhi on June 17
• Shinde calls the induction a 'second revolt' to protect party ideology
• Defections mark key win in Maharashtra's Shiv Sena power struggle

All six rebel Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, formalising a split in the Opposition outfit's parliamentary wing.

The development comes five days after the six MPs skipped a crucial Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, triggering speculation about an imminent rebellion. Only three Lok Sabha MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party attended that meeting.

The six MPs who skipped the parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17 are Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. Shiv Sena (UBT) currently had nine Lok Sabha MPs, and the rebel group needed at least six members to meet the two-thirds threshold.

'WE HAVE SIX TIGERS WITH ME TODAY'

Addressing a press conference after inducting six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into his faction, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde described the development as a major boost for the party.

"Not one, but six tigers are present here with me today. We have hit a six this time," Shinde said.

Referring to the 2022 split in Shiv Sena, he said the rebellion was launched to protect the party's saffron ideology and its 'bow and arrow' symbol. He termed the latest induction of MPs as a "second revolt" and claimed it reflected growing support for his leadership and the party's ideological stance.

Shinde said his faction had worked to strengthen Shiv Sena over the past four years and remained committed to the Hindutva ideology. He accused some leaders of abandoning the party's principles and betraying the mandate of voters.

The Shiv Sena chief also assured the newly inducted MPs that their concerns and the developmental needs of their constituencies would be addressed. Emphasising the party's organisational culture, he said there were no masters or supreme leaders in the party and that everyone functioned as workers committed to a common cause.

'THOSE WHO NEED TO INTROSPECT SHOULD DO SO'

Prior to the split, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had virtually acknowledged the success of the much-discussed "Operation Tiger."

Responding to questions about the split in the Shiv Sena (UBT), Fadnavis had said, "The operation has been successful, and the body is in very good health. There is no need for anyone to worry. Those who need to introspect should do so."

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde appeared to hail the induction of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into his faction, saying the development reflected the growing support for his leadership.

The induction of the six MPs is being seen as the latest chapter in the prolonged battle for control of the Shiv Sena, which split in 2022 when Shinde led a rebellion against then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The split triggered a political realignment in Maharashtra and led to legal and electoral battles between the rival factions.

For Shinde, the latest defections represent another significant victory in his effort to consolidate support within the party founded by Bal Thackeray. The ruling Shiv Sena has maintained that it represents the original ideology and legacy of the party.

- Ends