18 June, Posted at 1:10PM IST
A fresh political controversy has emerged in Maharashtra amid reports that several Members of Parliament belonging to the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of Shiv Sena may be preparing to join the Eknath Shinde-led camp. The developments have intensified speculation about another major shift within the party’s parliamentary ranks.
According to reports, six MPs associated with the UBT faction are alleged to have signed documents supporting a merger with the Shinde faction. Reports suggest that a formal announcement could be made around June 21 or 22, although no official confirmation has yet been issued by parliamentary authorities.
The reports come as the Shiv Sena prepares to mark its foundation day celebrations. Sources claim that the MPs in question may participate in events organized by the Shinde-led faction, which identifies itself as the legitimate Shiv Sena following earlier rulings and political developments in Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, the UBT camp has moved to counter the alleged rebellion. Party leaders have reportedly convened a parliamentary party meeting and issued notices to MPs who failed to attend. The party is seeking explanations from absent members and may use those responses as part of any future legal or parliamentary proceedings.
Senior UBT leaders, including Sanjay Raut and others, have questioned claims that the MPs have officially switched sides. They have demanded documentary proof and sought clarity regarding any alleged communication with the Speaker’s office.
At the same time, reports indicate that some of the MPs named in the alleged defection move were not available at their official residences, leading to further speculation about ongoing political negotiations. However, several details remain unverified and continue to be the subject of conflicting claims from both factions.
The issue also drew comments from Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. In a post on X, Owaisi questioned why large-scale defections to the BJP appear to occur so frequently and suggested that political parties should examine internal weaknesses rather than attributing every defection to external pressure.
He wrote that political leaders cannot blame a single individual for all failures and remarked, “Shikari naya hai, jaal purana hai,” implying that the political mechanism behind defections is longstanding even if the players change.
As of now, no final determination has been made regarding the alleged merger. The situation remains fluid, with legal, political, and parliamentary implications likely to unfold in the coming days.
Raftaar e Deccan Newsdesk is the central editorial desk of Raftaar e Deccan, responsible for compiling, editing, and publishing breaking news, official statements, and verified inputs from reporters and agencies.
