Arvind Sawant, a member of Parliament for Shiv Sena (UBT), rejected reports that lawmakers have defected from the party [1, 2].
The denial comes as rumors of a split within the party threatened to undermine the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. Stability within the parliamentary wing is critical for the party's leverage in national politics and its ability to challenge opposing factions in the legislature.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Sawant said that no MP has left the Uddhav Thackeray camp [2]. He said that the party remains united and that the reports of internal defections are inaccurate [1].
To address the instability and the surrounding rumors, the party has taken formal steps to protect its standing. Sawant said the Shiv Sena (UBT) has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to seek a constitutional resolution regarding the matter [1, 2].
This move to involve the Speaker indicates the party's intent to resolve the dispute through official parliamentary channels rather than internal negotiation alone. By requesting a constitutionally guided decision, the party seeks to formalize its current composition, and prevent further speculative reports of splits [2].
Sawant said that the loyalty of the MPs remains intact. The party continues to operate under the leadership of Thackeray, despite the public allegations of betrayal and fragmentation [1, 2].
“No MP has left the Uddhav Thackeray camp”
The appeal to the Lok Sabha Speaker suggests that Shiv Sena (UBT) is attempting to preemptively block potential defections by creating a legal and constitutional record of its membership. By seeking a formal resolution, the party aims to neutralize the political impact of rumors that could otherwise encourage further instability or opportunistic shifts in allegiance.
