Six Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction have signaled their intent to break away from the party [1].
The move threatens to dismantle the UBT faction's influence in the lower house of Parliament. With six to seven MPs reportedly planning to switch sides [3], the faction faces a potential collapse of its legislative strength in New Delhi.
Reports on June 17, 2026, indicated that the rebel lawmakers intend to submit a formal letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker [4]. This process would allow them to form a separate group before merging with the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde [2].
The rebellion stems from an internal ideological row and ongoing party-level disputes within the UBT wing [1]. These tensions have escalated following a meeting between faction leaders, which sparked fresh speculation regarding a broader reunion of the split party [2].
The UBT faction currently holds nine seats in the Lok Sabha [1]. If six of these members depart, the party would lose more than half of its representation in the chamber.
Observers said there are parallels between this instability and a crisis involving the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal [2]. While some reports suggest the TMC is on the brink of a split, other accounts said that 20 TMC members have already merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party [2].
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership has responded to the unrest by issuing notices to the concerned members [1].
“Six out of nine Lok Sabha MPs have rebelled”
This potential exodus signals a precarious moment for the UBT faction, as losing a majority of its Lok Sabha MPs would severely diminish its bargaining power and legitimacy as a distinct political entity. By merging with the Eknath Shinde faction, the rebels would consolidate the Shiv Sena's presence under a single banner, potentially altering the balance of power within the Maharashtra political landscape.
