Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing internal instability after several Lok Sabha MPs skipped a scheduled meeting in Delhi on June 17, 2024 [2].
This development threatens the stability of the party's parliamentary presence. If a significant number of lawmakers defect, it could weaken Thackeray's influence in national politics and mirror the 2022 rebellion that split the original party.
Reports indicate that five out of nine Lok Sabha MPs failed to attend the Matoshree meeting [2]. This absence comes amid speculation that a group of six to seven MPs may be preparing to join the faction led by Eknath Shinde [1].
Senior party leaders have reportedly attempted to personally persuade the lawmakers to remain loyal. The tension stems from a fear of further defections that could trigger another formal split within the party structure [1].
The skipped gathering was intended to be a parliamentary committee meeting in the national capital. The inability of party leadership to contact several of its representatives has heightened concerns regarding "Operation Tiger," a rumored effort to lure members away from the UBT wing [2].
While the exact number of potential defectors remains subject to contradiction between sources, the range is estimated between five and seven lawmakers [1], [2]. The party has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the status of the missing MPs.
“Five out of nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped the Matoshree meeting”
The potential defection of these MPs would represent a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray's legitimacy as a leader of a viable opposition bloc. By shifting toward Eknath Shinde, these lawmakers would further consolidate power within the Shinde-led faction and the broader ruling coalition, potentially isolating the UBT wing in Maharashtra's volatile political landscape.
