Aaditya Thackeray Slams Rebel MPs as Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Fresh Split Threat

A fresh political storm has erupted within Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) as six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs appear to be moving towards the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, raising fears of another major split in the party.

Amid growing speculation and internal turmoil, Aaditya Thackeray, son of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, launched a sharp attack on the rebel MPs, accusing them of betraying the party and the voters who elected them.

Calling the developments a “shocking example of dirty politics,” Aaditya said the people of Maharashtra would not accept what he described as a betrayal of public trust.

Aaditya Thackeray’s Strong Reaction

In his first public response to the crisis, Aaditya Thackeray did not hold back.

He described the rebel MPs as “shameless, ungrateful and corrupt individuals” and alleged that they had chosen personal interests over the party’s ideology and loyal supporters.

According to him, the MPs were abandoning the very political platform that helped them secure victories in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

The comments came as the political future of the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary unit appeared increasingly uncertain.

Six MPs Skip Crucial Meeting

The crisis escalated after six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs failed to attend a parliamentary party meeting convened in New Delhi.

The meeting, called by senior leaders Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, was reportedly held after a formal party whip had been issued.

Only three MPs—Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje—attended the gathering and publicly reaffirmed their support for Uddhav Thackeray.

The absence of the remaining six MPs immediately fueled speculation about an imminent political realignment.

Rebels Seek Separate Identity

Reports indicate that the dissident MPs have already informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of their intention to function as a separate parliamentary group.

In their communication, the MPs reportedly cited concerns about the possibility of Shiv Sena (UBT) moving closer to the Congress Party and alleged that the organization had drifted away from its original ideological foundations.

The group has also sought separate seating arrangements in Parliament closer to MPs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction, further signaling a potential split.

Anti-Defection Law in Focus

The political significance of the move lies in the numbers.

Since the six MPs constitute two-thirds of the party’s Lok Sabha strength, they could potentially avoid disqualification under India’s Anti-Defection Law if recognized as a separate group.

This has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing power struggle within the Sena.

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Political observers note that the situation bears similarities to the dramatic 2022 split that led to the rise of Eknath Shinde’s faction and reshaped Maharashtra politics.

Party Plans Disciplinary Action

Following the meeting, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders announced disciplinary measures against the absent MPs.

Arvind Sawant stated that show-cause notices would be issued immediately and that legal proceedings could follow if satisfactory explanations were not provided within seven days.

He emphasized that the MPs had violated an official party directive and would be held accountable.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut accused the rebels of betraying the party and claimed further action would be pursued through parliamentary and legal channels.

Political Heat Intensifies

The drama intensified further as reports emerged that five of the six rebel MPs had been shifted to Jaipur, while one remained in Pune.

Party insiders suggested the move was aimed at preventing the MPs from attending the Shiv Sena (UBT) meeting and maintaining unity within the breakaway group.

Raut also claimed that senior NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar had discussed organizing public protests against the rebel lawmakers in their constituencies.

Additionally, Raut alleged that the dissidents had received financial incentives before being moved to Rajasthan, though no evidence supporting these claims has been publicly presented.

A Crucial Moment for Maharashtra Politics

The unfolding developments mark another critical chapter in Maharashtra’s turbulent political landscape.

With the rebel MPs expected to formally align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the coming days, the Uddhav Thackeray faction faces one of its biggest organizational challenges since the original party split.

As legal, political, and parliamentary battles begin to take shape, the outcome could significantly influence the future of the Shiv Sena and the broader balance of power in Maharashtra.