Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Internal Mutiny as MPs Skip Party Meeting

Several members of parliament from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped a mandatory party meeting on Saturday at his Mumbai residence.

The absence of these lawmakers suggests a deepening rift within the party and a potential shift in loyalty toward the rival Eknath Shinde-led faction.

The meeting took place at Matoshree, the official residence of Uddhav Thackeray. While the party maintains a facade of unity, conflicting reports indicate a significant rebellion. One report said that six MPs skipped the party meet ^[1]. Another source said that Parbhani MP Sanjay Bandu Jadhav was among those who missed the gathering ^[2].

Movement of lawmakers has further fueled rumors of a planned defection. Sources from the Shinde faction said five of the six rebel MPs were moved out of Delhi ahead of the parliamentary meeting ^[3]. This strategic movement suggests an effort to prevent the lawmakers from attending the session convened by Thackeray.

Attendance numbers remain a point of contention between the warring factions. Some reports claim only three MPs attended the mandatory parliamentary meeting ^[3]. Conversely, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has countered these claims by stating that all nine MPs attended the meeting at Matoshree ^[4].

The struggle for control over the Shiv Sena brand continues to destabilize the party's legislative strength. The tension between the Thackeray and Shinde camps has persisted since the original party split, with both sides vying for the loyalty of the remaining elected officials. The current unrest highlights the fragility of the UBT faction's hold on its parliamentary members, a vulnerability the Shinde camp continues to exploit.

Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Bandu Jadhav are among the figures central to the ongoing internal friction. The party's inability to provide a consistent account of attendance underscores the volatility of the current political climate in Maharashtra.