UBT Sena Faces Rebellion: Six MPs Expected to Join Shinde Camp

Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction is currently facing a significant political upheaval, with reports indicating a fresh rebellion among its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament. Six UBT MPs have reportedly formed a separate group within the Lok Sabha and have communicated their intention to align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This development, which is expected to culminate in their formal joining of the Shinde camp on June 19, the Shiv Sena's foundation day, is perceived as a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray and a significant boost to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha. Credible sources such as The Times of India, The Indian Express, NDTV, and ABP Live have widely corroborated this unfolding story, highlighting the political turbulence gripping Maharashtra. The narrative suggests that the six MPs have already submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking recognition as a distinct parliamentary group. If this defection materializes, it would further consolidate the Shinde-led Shiv Sena's position and potentially weaken the opposition INDIA bloc, particularly in Maharashtra, ahead of future elections. The political maneuvering has been accompanied by serious allegations from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. He claimed that the MPs contemplating defection are being enticed with substantial financial inducements, specifically ₹50 crore each, with an alleged advance payment of ₹15 crore. Raut's allegations, made during a press conference in New Delhi, underscore the high stakes involved in the ongoing political struggle. He further inflamed the debate by using abusive language against the alleged 'rebels' and controversially urged media organizations not to censor his remarks, defending his choice of words as common Marathi expressions. In response to these developments, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has taken swift action to try and contain the potential damage. The party's chief whip, Anil Desai, issued a whip directing all its nine Lok Sabha MPs to attend an urgent parliamentary party meeting in Delhi scheduled for June 18. Failure to attend this meeting could lead to legal action, including potential disqualification proceedings under anti-defection laws. Senior UBT leaders, including Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Sanjay Raut, also met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to formally request that he not recognize any breakaway faction. They emphasized that the dispute over the legitimate Shiv Sena continues to be deliberated by the Supreme Court, implying that any recognition of a new group would be premature. Reports suggest that only three of the nine UBT MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje – were present at Raut's press conference, fueling speculation about the loyalty of the remaining six. While some MPs, like Sanjay Dina Patil, have publicly denied any intention of switching sides, the overall atmosphere within the Thackeray camp remains tense and uncertain. Interestingly, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray himself has adopted a somewhat resigned stance, stating that he would not compel anyone to stay with the party if they wished to leave. The alleged defection efforts are being termed "Operation Tiger" in political circles, with sources from the Shinde camp suggesting that the operation is in its final stages and is set to conclude by June 19. There have also been claims that the timing of some MPs' defection might be linked to external pressures, such as a pending court verdict in a high-profile murder case involving the father of one of the MPs, Omraje Nimbalkar, with the final judgment reportedly scheduled for June 19. This adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political drama. Furthermore, a BJP MLA, Ashishrao Deshmukh, has added to the political narrative by alleging that Sanjay Raut is actively working towards merging Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction with the Congress. The political landscape of Maharashtra has been volatile since the initial split in the Shiv Sena in 2022, which saw Eknath Shinde break away with a significant number of MLAs, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and Shinde becoming Chief Minister. This latest development, if it fully materializes, would mark another critical juncture in the power struggle between the two Shiv Sena factions and could have lasting repercussions on the political alignment and stability in the state and at the national level. The Lok Sabha, as the lower house of India's Parliament, plays a crucial role in the country's governance, and shifts in party allegiances within it can significantly alter legislative dynamics. The events of June 17, 2026, indicate a deepening political crisis with implications for India's democratic framework. "The Times of India" article accurately reflects the breaking nature of this political news, reporting on claims and impending actions rather than finalized events. The term "set to join" precisely captures the status of the situation as of the publication date. The overall credibility of the reporting is high, as multiple reputable national news outlets are covering the same narrative with consistent details and allegations. The news falls squarely within the category of 'Politics' and 'India' specific events, with clear national implications.

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