Six Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) plan to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on Monday [1].

The shift is significant because it could grant the rebel group the two-thirds strength of the party's Lok Sabha membership required to avoid disqualification under India's anti-defection law [1].

The rebel MPs are scheduled to hold a press conference around 3 p.m. today to announce their departure [1]. This move follows internal tensions within the Shiv Sena (UBT), which currently holds nine total Lok Sabha seats [1].

Sanjay Raut said the dissident MPs were moved to a safe location in Rajasthan [2]. He also said that the rebel lawmakers received an additional ₹10 crore as an incentive for the switch [2].

Aaditya Thackeray said the departing members were cowardly and suggested they should contest elections again [1]. The rebel MPs reportedly feared a possible merger between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress party [2].

The political crisis continues to divide the original Shiv Sena party into competing factions. The outcome of this move will determine whether the rebel MPs retain their seats or face immediate removal from parliament.

“Six Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) plan to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction”

This shift represents a critical tactical maneuver under India's anti-defection laws, where securing a two-thirds majority of a party's legislative strength allows a faction to merge or switch without losing their seats. By moving six of nine MPs, the Shinde-led faction effectively neutralizes the legal risk of disqualification, potentially crippling the legislative influence of Uddhav Thackeray's UBT wing.