Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces Second Split, Six MPs Merge with Shinde Faction

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray - UBT) has recently endured a significant internal upheaval, marked by the defection and subsequent merger of six of its nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) with the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This event, which unfolded in mid-2026, represents the second major fracture within the Shiv Sena since the original party split in June 2022. The crisis began to escalate in June 2026, when reports surfaced about 'missing numbers' of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs and their alleged travel to Delhi for meetings. On June 18, 2026, a crucial parliamentary meeting convened by Shiv Sena (UBT) in New Delhi saw the absence of six Lok Sabha MPs. Only three Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje – along with the party's lone Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, were reportedly present. The six absentee MPs were identified as Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. These MPs were reportedly aiming to form a separate group within the Lok Sabha, a move widely speculated to be a precursor to their merger with the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Reports indicated that these rebel MPs had skipped an earlier meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai, as well as Aaditya Thackeray's birthday celebrations, further signaling internal dissent. Amidst these developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut made explosive allegations, claiming that attempts were being made to 'buy' his party's MPs. Raut asserted that lawmakers were being offered substantial sums, specifically mentioning an advance of ₹15 crore, with potential deals reaching ₹50-60 crore, to switch sides. He linked these alleged inducements to an 'Operation Tiger,' an purported effort by the Shinde camp to poach MPs and strengthen its position. While widely reported as Raut's allegations, these claims of financial inducements have not been independently substantiated by external credible sources. The political maneuvering intensified with reports of Eknath Shinde, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the rival Shiv Sena faction, also arriving in Delhi around the time the UBT MPs gathered there, suggesting a coordinated effort. The speculation regarding a split was formally confirmed on July 18, 2026, when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially recognized the merger of the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This decision significantly altered the parliamentary composition, increasing the Shinde-led Sena's strength in the Lok Sabha from seven to thirteen MPs, and consequently reducing Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) to just three MPs. The Speaker's approval came ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session, effectively validating the switch under the anti-defection law, which permits a merger if at least two-thirds of a legislature party's members support it. The ramifications of this split were immediate and profound. Uddhav Thackeray vehemently criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting the defected MPs, interpreting it as an attempt to exert pressure on the Supreme Court. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has since challenged the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Thackeray faction, argued before the apex court that a split in a legislative party does not, by itself, amount to a split in the political party, and that the Election Commission's earlier decision to recognize the Shinde faction as the 'real Shiv Sena' and grant it the 'bow-and-arrow' symbol was unlawful. As of August 2026, the Supreme Court is actively hearing this dispute, underscoring the legal complexities and high stakes involved in this political realignment. This latest split draws parallels to the major rebellion in June 2022, which saw Eknath Shinde lead a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs to break away, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and Shinde's ascent to the Chief Minister's office with BJP's support. Political observers, like Sanjay Nirupam (now part of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena), have used these events to predict the eventual demise of the Shiv Sena (UBT) by 2029, citing a perceived loss of faith in Uddhav Thackeray's leadership among MLAs and MPs. The constant internal conflicts within the Shiv Sena factions continue to shape the political landscape of Maharashtra, with ongoing legal battles and shifting alliances remaining central to the state's political narrative. The events highlight the fragility of political loyalties and the intense competition for power and legacy within the Marathi regionalist party. Additionally, the split has broader implications for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level, as it seeks to consolidate its strength, particularly in anticipation of significant legislative actions like the delimitation bill.

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