Massive blow to Uddhav's Shiv Sena-UBT, all six rebel MPs join Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena

Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a massive blow after six of its Lok Sabha MPs joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha.

The six rebel MPs who joined the ruling Shiv Sena are Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar. They joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

‘Shiv Sena is one family': Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde, who addressed a press conference, said it was a continuation of the 2022 political split aimed at "saving the original Shiv Sena." He said the “Shiv Sena is one family.”

He said the MPs have joined the party for the development of their constituencies rather than for any personal gain.

“Today, we welcome all these six kattar Shivsainik MPs into the original Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. In 2022, we carried out a revolt when 40 MLAs joined us, and that was to save the Shiv Sena of Balasaheb. This is the second phase of that same movement,” Shinde was quoted by ANI as saying.

"We are here to preserve the ideology of Shiv Sena and Balasaheb, and that is why these MPs have decided to come to the original Shiv Sena," he added.

Shinde also took potshots at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who has been slamming the party rebels.

"Today, six MPs have joined us. So we have three Sanjays here with us. We have another Sanjay Rathod (MLA) here also. When we have Sanjay here, no need to talk about any other Sanjay, and you know who I am talking about," Shinde said.

Shinde asserted that the 2022 revolt had received public support and Shiv Sena now has 60 MLAs.

"Omraje Nimbalkar came with a king-size heart after consulting his workers. People call him a 'reel star,' but according to me, he is a real star. All these people have come with us not for their personal interest or benefit but have come for the betterment of their constituency. Whatever we decided in 2022, people accepted that decision, and we went to the people's court after that, and we were approved by the people in elections. We had 40 MLAs when we revolted, but later in elections we became 60 from 40," Shinde said.

In 2022, Shinde, along with several MLAs, broke away from Uddhav Thackeray, splitting the party into two.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) had nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. The Parliamentary Party meeting called by Shiv Sena (UBT) last week was attended by three Lok Sabha MPs. The party had said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the six rebel MPs.

‘Eknath Shinde a mass leader’

Shiv Sena National spokesperson Shaina NC on Monday asserted that the recent exodus of leaders from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction is a direct result of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership, describing him as a "mass leader" who prioritises grassroots connection and development.

Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC stated, “The 'UBT' needs to reflect on why their MLAs, MPs, and corporators are unhappy with them; if they engage in some introspection, they will find the answers.”

"The party has split six times. The Constitution provides an opportunity — specifically, the merger clause under the anti-defection law," she said.

(With inputs from ANI)