Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) members held a press conference alleging that some party members were offered large sums of money to defect.
The internal rebellion threatens the stability of the party under Uddhav Thackeray. If a significant number of members switch allegiances, it could shift the balance of power in the regional political landscape.
Senior leader Sanjay Raut addressed the crisis, highlighting the financial incentives used to lure members away. Raut said that someone important told him MPs were promised ₹50 crore [1]. He said that MPs were poached with an extra ₹10 crore [2].
These allegations have prompted the party to issue show-cause notices to dissenting members. The crisis deepened following a key meeting in New Delhi, where attendance was reportedly low. Only three Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs attended that meeting [3].
Despite the low attendance at the official gathering, reports indicate a coordinated effort among dissenters. Six rebel leaders have reportedly formed a group [3] to challenge the current party leadership.
The tension between the factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde continues to create volatility within the party ranks. The use of live press conferences by the rebels suggests a strategy to bring public pressure to bear on the party leadership while exposing alleged poaching tactics.
“"Someone important told me MPs promised ₹50 cr"”
The rebellion within Shiv Sena (UBT) underscores the precarious nature of party loyalty in Indian regional politics, where financial inducements and strategic splits often precede larger shifts in legislative power. The discrepancy in the number of attendees at official meetings versus the formation of a rebel group suggests a deepening divide that may leave the party leadership vulnerable to further defections.
