A fresh split within Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction appears imminent after six Members of Parliament reportedly informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of their decision to shift allegiance, paving the way for a merger with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
According to sources, the formal announcement of the merger is expected on June 21, marking another significant political setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp.
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In response to the development, the Thackeray faction has convened an emergency party meeting at 11 a.m. on Thursday and has issued notices to the rebel MPs, directing them to attend. The party has warned that disciplinary action will be initiated against those who fail to appear.
However, political observers believe that taking action against the rebel lawmakers could prove challenging, given the precedent set during the 2022 Shiv Sena split. At that time, 40 of the party’s 55 MLAs sided with Eknath Shinde, leading to a major division within the party.
The defection was subsequently recognised by the Assembly Speaker, while the Election Commission awarded the official Shiv Sena name and its iconic election symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction, dealing a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
The latest move by the six MPs, if formalised, would represent the second major split in the Thackeray-led faction and further strengthen Eknath Shinde’s position within the party ahead of future political contests.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
