Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), said he will not force any members of parliament to remain in his party.
The statement comes as speculation grows that a majority of the party's lawmakers may defect, which could trigger another split within the Maharashtra-based political outfit.
Thackeray addressed the situation on Sunday amid reports that several lawmakers have skipped party meetings. The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine MPs [1]. Under anti-defection laws, six MPs, or two-thirds of the group, must agree to a split to avoid disqualification [2].
Reports indicate that seven MPs may be in contact with the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde [3]. This number exceeds the threshold required to legally avoid disqualification, posing a significant threat to Thackeray's legislative strength.
Despite the potential exodus, Thackeray maintained a composed public stance. He said those who wish to leave may do so, signaling that he would not coerce loyalty from his representatives.
"Today might not be mine, but tomorrow definitely is," Thackeray said [4].
While party officials, including Sanjay Raut, have denied that MPs intend to join Shinde's faction, the atmosphere in Maharashtra remains tense. The possibility of a mass defection would further consolidate the power of the Shinde-led faction and the BJP in the region.
“"Today might not be mine, but tomorrow definitely is."”
The potential defection of seven out of nine MPs would effectively strip Uddhav Thackeray of his parliamentary leverage and legitimize a split under Indian anti-defection laws. By publicly stating he will not force members to stay, Thackeray is attempting to manage the narrative of a party collapse while positioning himself as a resilient leader facing inevitable political shifts in Maharashtra.
