Uddhav Thackeray has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to members of the Shiv Sena UBT faction after five MPs missed a crucial meeting [1], [2].

The incident signals a potential fracture within the party's parliamentary strength. With more than half of the faction's representatives absent from the gathering, the party faces a critical threat to its stability in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena UBT faction currently holds nine total MPs [3]. The absence of five members [1] from the meeting has sparked allegations that the ruling alliance is conducting a defection operation to weaken the opposition's hold.

Thackeray demanded a clear statement of loyalty from the missing representatives within a 48-hour window [2]. The move is intended to purge internal dissent and solidify the party's ranks before further political maneuvers can be executed by rivals.

This instability comes as internal tensions rise within the Maharashtra political landscape. The party's leadership is now attempting to determine if the absences were the result of logistical issues or a coordinated effort to shift party allegiance.

The ruling alliance has not officially commented on the specific allegations of a defection operation, but the timing of the absences has led party insiders to fear a planned split. The outcome of the ultimatum will determine whether the faction retains its current numbers or faces a significant reduction in its legislative influence.

“Five of Shiv Sena UBT's nine MPs missed a key meeting”

This crisis highlights the volatility of coalition politics in Maharashtra, where party loyalty is frequently challenged by the ruling alliance's efforts to consolidate power. If the five MPs defect, the Shiv Sena UBT faction will lose the majority of its parliamentary representation, significantly diminishing Uddhav Thackeray's leverage in both state and national political negotiations.