Six members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp led by Uddhav Thackeray have requested recognition as a separate parliamentary faction [1].
The move threatens to further destabilize Thackeray's leadership and could shift the balance of power within the party's representation in the Lok Sabha.
The rebel MPs submitted a signed letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi [1], [3]. These lawmakers represent six of the nine total MPs currently affiliated with the Shiv Sena (UBT) [3].
Reports on the rebels' ultimate intentions are conflicting. Some sources indicate the group is signaling a possible merger with the faction led by Eknath Shinde [1]. Other reports suggest the revolt is a reaction to the UBT leadership's own inclination to merge with the Congress party [2].
The dissident MPs said they are seeking a separate identity due to dissatisfaction with the current leadership's direction [2]. This internal friction comes as the party faces pressure to maintain its cohesion against competing factions within the broader Shiv Sena movement.
If the Speaker grants the request for a separate bloc, it would formally divide the UBT's presence in the lower house. The decision rests with the Speaker's office to determine if the requirements for a split or merger under parliamentary rules have been met [1], [3].
“Six members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp led by Uddhav Thackeray have requested recognition as a separate parliamentary faction.”
This development indicates a critical fracture in Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary strength. By seeking separate faction status, the rebel MPs are attempting to bypass party discipline and potentially align with the Eknath Shinde faction, which is allied with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This could leave the UBT with a diminished voice in the Lok Sabha and weaken its leverage in future coalition negotiations.
