Six Lok Sabha members from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction are planning to break away and join the Eknath Shinde camp.
This potential shift threatens to dismantle the legislative strength of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. Because the group holds only nine total Lok Sabha MPs [2], the loss of six members would leave the party with a minimal presence in the lower house of Parliament.
Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, said the situation is a growing political crisis in Maharashtra. The MPs are set to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi to formalize the transition.
The split is driven by internal dissent within the Thackeray-led faction. This unrest follows the 2022 power shift, often described as a coup, that fundamentally altered the state's political landscape [3].
Lawmakers within the UBT camp said they desire to align with the faction led by Eknath Shinde. The movement suggests a continuing trend of fragmentation within the original Shiv Sena party structure.
While the UBT faction has attempted to maintain a cohesive opposition block, these reports indicate a fresh exodus is underway. The move would further consolidate power within the Shinde camp and isolate Uddhav Thackeray's influence in the national legislature.
“Six Lok Sabha members from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction are planning to break away.”
This potential defection represents a critical blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction's leverage in New Delhi. By losing two-thirds of its parliamentary representation, the party would struggle to maintain its status as a significant political player, further cementing Eknath Shinde's dominance over the party's legacy and infrastructure in Maharashtra.
