Rs 15 crore each, chartered flights: Sanjay Raut's big claim amid Sena UBT revolt buzz

Cash offers, chartered flights, alleged pressure tactics and a looming split - Sanjay Raut has made a series of sensational claims as Shiv Sena (UBT) fights to prevent another rebellion in its ranks.

In Short

• Six to seven Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may join Shinde-led faction amid loyalty concerns
• Party issues whip, orders MPs to attend crucial New Delhi meeting
• Raut and Desai deny split, reaffirm all MPs remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that MPs were being offered huge sums of money and chartered flights were being arranged as part of an alleged bid to engineer a split in Uddhav Thackeray's party.

The allegations came amid growing speculation that six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs could break away and seek recognition as a separate group in Parliament, triggering the biggest challenge for Shiv Sena (UBT) since the Eknath Shinde-led rebellion split the party in 2022.

With the revolt buzz gathering pace, the party rushed to issue a whip to all its MPs, dispatched senior leaders Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and warned of immediate action against any lawmaker found violating party directions.

The developments unfolded barely two days before the June 19 foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena, a symbolic date that has now become the backdrop for a fresh political showdown within the Thackeray camp.

'ONLY AFTER GETTING RS 15 CRORE DID THEY BOARD THE FLIGHTS'

Speaking to India Today after meeting the Lok Sabha Speaker, Raut claimed an elaborate operation was underway to lure MPs away from Shiv Sena (UBT).

"There were chartered flights yesterday. I have photographs of those flights. One came from Pune, one from Nagpur and one from Nanded. Three chartered flights landed in Delhi," he said.

According to Raut, some MPs were allegedly reluctant to travel until money was delivered.

"The MPs got Rs 15 crore each in advance. The deal is worth Rs 50-60 crore. Only after receiving the 15 crore did they board the chartered flights and come to Delhi," he claimed.

The Rajya Sabha MP had first made the allegation late Tuesday night in a post on X.

"Apna sapna money... money! There is information that an advance of Rs 15 crore will be given tonight to buy MPs from Maharashtra. This is shocking and disgusting!" he wrote.

The remarks immediately intensified speculation surrounding what political circles have dubbed "Operation Tiger", an alleged effort to engineer defections from the Opposition camp.

PARTY SCRAMBLES TO PREVENT ANOTHER SPLIT

The allegations come at a particularly sensitive moment for Shiv Sena (UBT).

Reports over the past two days have suggested that six to seven of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs may be exploring the possibility of breaking away and aligning with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

If six MPs move together, they could potentially satisfy the two-thirds requirement under anti-defection provisions, giving them a stronger legal footing in any battle over recognition.

The rebellion chatter gathered momentum after only four MPs attended a recent meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai.

While Raut insisted the remaining MPs joined virtually or over the phone, the episode fuelled intense speculation about discontent within the parliamentary party.

The names being discussed include Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Jadhav, though none has publicly announced plans to switch sides.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OM BIRLA MEETING?

Amid reports that rebel MPs could approach the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition as a separate group, Sena (UBT) leaders met Om Birla in Parliament.

Raut said the party submitted a detailed representation outlining constitutional provisions, anti-defection safeguards and Supreme Court rulings.

"We told the Speaker that reports are circulating that some people from our parliamentary party may approach him. No one has officially informed us, but it was our responsibility to place our concerns before him," he said.

The Sena (UBT) leader added that he did not get the impression that any rebel faction had formally approached the Speaker.

"When I met him, I did not feel that anyone had already gone to him claiming they were forming a separate group," Raut said.

'IF YOU WANT TO GO, RESIGN FIRST'

Raut also launched a blistering attack on MPs allegedly considering defection.

"If you want to leave, then leave. But resign first. The party gave you a ticket, workers campaigned for you, leaders travelled across constituencies for you and voters elected you on the party symbol," he said.

"If you are truly acting on your own conscience, resign from the post and seek a fresh mandate."

The Sena (UBT) leader argued that defections were a betrayal not just of the party but also of the electorate.

He warned that party workers and voters would not forgive leaders attempting to repeat the events of 2022.

SIGNATURES, LETTERS AND A NEW CONTROVERSY

Adding another twist to the political drama, Raut questioned reports that six MPs had already submitted a letter to the Speaker.

"If six MPs have indeed submitted such a letter, then let those six MPs stand before the Speaker and say so publicly," he said.

He suggested signatures could be misused and claimed MP Nagesh Ashtikar had earlier expressed concerns over the possibility of his signature being used without authorisation.

Raut also said Sanjay Dina Patil had personally called him to deny reports linking him to the alleged rebellion.

"He told me his name was being dragged into this unnecessarily and that he remains with the party," Raut claimed.

BJP REJECTS ALLEGATIONS

The BJP dismissed Raut's charges and accused the Sena (UBT) leadership of trying to hide its internal problems.

Senior BJP leaders said political leaders often take decisions based on local realities and denied allegations that money or pressure tactics were being used to trigger defections.

Raut, however, insisted that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and CBI were being used to create fear among opposition leaders.

"No one leaves willingly. Remove the protection of ED and CBI and then face us politically," he said.

BIGGEST TEST SINCE 2022

For Shiv Sena (UBT), the unfolding crisis is being viewed as the most serious challenge since Eknath Shinde's rebellion four years ago split the party and toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The timing has only added to the anxiety within the Thackeray camp. June 19 marks the 60th foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena, and party leaders had hoped to use the occasion to project strength and unity.

Instead, the focus has shifted to a high-stakes battle over loyalty, defections and the future of Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary team.

As MPs gather in Delhi under the shadow of a party whip, the question now is whether the revolt buzz is merely political theatre — or the beginning of another split in Maharashtra politics.

- Ends