• Source:JND

After Bengal's political upheaval, a similar incident is unfolding in Maharashtra, where Shiv Sena UBT is facing a major defection fear as 6 out of their 9 Lok Sabha MPs are likely to switch sides by making a separate faction and merging them within Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

The reports of 'Operation Tiger', which relied on sources and anticipations hitherto became more confirmed on Wednesday. UBT MP Arvind Sawant reached the Speaker's office in New Delhi and apprised him of the situation, claiming that any claim on the party must be considered after hearing their stance only.

Sawant also issued a whip to all party MPs to attend a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. The fresh meeting has been called within a few days of an earlier meeting at UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray's residence, Matoshee, which was attended by only 4 MPs. However, the party leaders had claimed that the remaining 5 MPs joined virtually.

6 MPs who may switch sides

According to sources cited by Marathi Jagran, these six MPs are likely to join Shinde's Sena: 

  • Sanjay Jadhav: MP from Parbhani in the Marathwada region.
  • Sanjay Deshmukh: MP from Yavatmal-Washim in Vidarbha
  • Sanjay Dina Patil: MP from Mumbai North East
  • Nagesh Patil Ashtikar: MP from Hingoli in Marathwada
  • Omraje Nimbalkar: MP from Dharashiv
  • Bhausaheb Wakchoure: MP from Shirdi

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Raut abuses rebel MPs

Sanjay Raut and other Shiv Sena UBT MPs had been persistently denying reports of a rift until Wednesday. Today, he held a press conference, alongside Sawant and Anil Desai, where he hurled abuses at the rebel MPs.

The rebel faction is reported to have met the Lok Sabha Speaker in Rajasthan by flying in a chartered plane. They are reported to have submitted a letter to the Speaker regarding their decision to break away. However, the reports are yet to be officially confirmed.

UBT plans to disqualify rebel MPs

According to the Marathi Jagran report, the UBT leadership, on the other hand, is planning to disqualify the rebel MPs. The Thursday meeting has been called for that purpose, as those who remain absent may face action.

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The Uddhav Sena, however, got a sigh of relief amid the political turmoil today when MP Rajabhau Waje, who was considered to be a part of the rebel group of 7 MPs initially, publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the party leader.


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