Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, alleged on June 2, 2026, that Maharashtra MPs were offered ₹15 crore [1] each to defect.
These allegations highlight the instability within the party and the ongoing struggle for political dominance in Maharashtra. If a significant number of lawmakers switch sides, it could alter the balance of power in the Lok Sabha and undermine the party's existing electoral mandate.
Raut said that any member of parliament wishing to leave the party should resign from their post and face fresh elections. He said that these alleged financial offers threaten the integrity of the democratic process, and the specific mandate given to the party by voters [2].
Reports indicate that a split within the faction may be deepening. According to some reports, six of nine [3] Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker requesting to form a separate group. However, the exact number of lawmakers involved remains disputed, as some sources suggest only two of the named representatives have confirmed the move [4].
The tension comes amid a broader row over the party's split and the loyalty of its representatives in New Delhi. Raut said those who have already moved toward the Shinde camp should return to the party under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership [5].
The demand for resignations is intended to prevent lawmakers from switching parties while retaining their seats, a practice that often leads to prolonged legal battles over the legitimacy of the remaining party structure.
“Maharashtra MPs were being offered ₹15 crore each to switch sides.”
The allegations of high-value bribes to secure defections point to a volatile period for the Shiv Sena (UBT). By demanding that defectors resign and seek re-election, Raut is attempting to frame the issue as a matter of voter betrayal rather than a simple political realignment. The discrepancy in the number of MPs seeking to form a separate group suggests a fluid internal power struggle that could either result in a total collapse of the faction's influence in the Lok Sabha or a consolidated core of loyalists.
