Political uncertainty gripped the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday after several party MPs were reportedly unavailable over the phone, fueling speculation about a possible shift in loyalties. Senior leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, are said to be personally reaching out to parliamentarians amid concerns of growing internal unrest.
The developments come as Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs travel to New Delhi for a parliamentary committee meeting. According to sources, a separate gathering involving MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction is expected to take place at the Delhi residence of Shrikant Shinde. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde are likely to attend the meeting.
Sources indicated that MPs associated with the Uddhav faction could first seek recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha before formally aligning with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Following the meeting, the MPs are also expected to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Six MPs Reportedly In Contact With Shinde Faction
Amid the ongoing speculation, reports suggest that six Lok Sabha MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with the Eknath Shinde camp. The names include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Sanjay Jadhav.
There were also reports that Rajabhau Waje might join the group. However, he appeared alongside Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference in Delhi.
In a parallel development, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai are expected to reach Delhi as the party attempts to manage the situation. Speculation regarding a possible rebellion intensified after recent political developments drew comparisons with similar defections seen in other parties.
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Sanjay Raut Rejects Defection Claims
Responding to the reports, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut dismissed suggestions of a split within the party. Speaking in Delhi, he maintained that all MPs continued to support Uddhav Thackeray and accused rivals of attempting to create a misleading narrative.
अपना सपना मनी..मनी!
महाराष्ट्रातील खासदारांना विकत घेण्यासाठी…आज रात्री प्रत्येकी
१५ कोटींचा एडवांस देण्यात येत असल्याची माहिती धक्कादायक आणि घृणास्पद आहे!@Dev_Fadnavis— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) June 16, 2026
Ruling Shiv Sena Signals Open Door Policy
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, a leader of the ruling Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, suggested that if any elected representatives are willing to join the party, they are welcomed.
He stated that public representatives who place their trust in Eknath Shinde’s leadership and the principles associated with Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray would find the party’s doors open and could be given priority in the future.
Political attention also focused on a recent meeting in Delhi between Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh and Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav, who belongs to the ruling Shiv Sena. The interaction gained significance because Deshmukh did not attend a meeting convened by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, citing personal reasons.
Attendance Pattern Raises Questions
The attendance at Uddhav Thackeray’s recent meeting also attracted scrutiny. Out of nine Lok Sabha MPs, only four were physically present. Several others participated virtually or communicated through phone calls, while some cited prior commitments for their absence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Writes to Lok Sabha Speaker
Amid reports of a possible breakaway group, Shiv Sena (UBT) has formally written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting that no faction seeking separation from the party be recognised in Parliament.
The party argued that constitutional provisions no longer recognise a political party split as a valid basis for separate recognition. The move is being viewed as an attempt to prevent any repeat of the political developments that reshaped Maharashtra politics in 2022, particularly as rebel MPs are currently in Delhi and expected to engage with parliamentary authorities.
