Shiv Sena Crisis: UBT MPs Meet Lok Sabha Speaker, Submit Letter Urging Him to Act Within Law

Amid growing speculation that some Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may switch sides to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, three senior leaders of the Uddhav Thackeray camp met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 17 and asked him to take note of the situation. The meeting has now pushed a Maharashtra political buzz into a formal parliamentary and constitutional context.

Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut met the Speaker in New Delhi and raised concerns over reports that have been circulating in political circles under the label of “Operation Tiger”. The party has not acknowledged any split, and no MP has officially declared a breakaway. But the UBT faction wants the Speaker’s office to be informed before any such claim is processed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs ask Speaker to apply anti-defection law

After the meeting, Arvind Sawant said the MPs had told Birla that media reports alone could not be treated as proof of a split. He added that no member had personally gone to the Speaker and said they were leaving Shiv Sena (UBT). According to Sawant, any such move has to be examined under the Constitution and the anti-defection law.

“We apprised him, that what news is coming out no one has come and told you that he is leaving the party. Even if they come the speaker must act according to the constitution. And there is the anti-defection law as well, according to which a group cannot be recognized. This is the first thing,” Sawant told reporters.

Sanjay Raut said the delegation had received an assurance that the matter would be dealt with strictly as per parliamentary rules. “The Speaker is a respectable person for us. We regard him. He assured that the law and rules and regulations will be kept in mind in the matter,” Raut said after the meeting.

Anil Desai said the party had also submitted a written representation. He said Shiv Sena (UBT) has requested the Speaker to inform the party if any group of MPs approaches his office claiming a separate standing. “Only a party can merge; there is no provision for a group to merge with any party,” Desai said.

Why the Lok Sabha numbers are crucial

The speculation is centred on reports that seven of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs may be in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. If such a move is attempted, the issue will not be only about political loyalty. It will also raise questions under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection.

The anti-defection law was framed to stop elected legislators from changing sides without facing consequences. A member can be disqualified if he or she voluntarily gives up the party membership on whose ticket the seat was won, or if the party whip is violated in the House without valid protection. In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker decides such matters.

The law earlier had a provision that allowed protection for a “split” involving one-third of a legislature party. That clause was removed through the 91st Constitutional Amendment. The present protection applies only in case of merger, where at least two-thirds of members of a legislature party agree to merge with another political party. That distinction is at the heart of the UBT Sena’s stand.

That is why Desai’s remark matters politically. Shiv Sena (UBT) is making it clear that a group of MPs cannot simply seek recognition as a separate bloc and escape the threat of disqualification. The party’s argument is that any such move must meet the constitutional test of merger and cannot be treated as a routine parliamentary rearrangement.

Rajabhau Waje denies contact with Shinde camp

Meanwhile, Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje denied reports that he was in touch with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Waje said he remained with Uddhav Thackeray and had come to Delhi for a committee meeting. His response was aimed at countering suggestions that the possible breakaway already had the backing of most UBT MPs.

“I am with Uddhav ji and will remain with him. I have no contacts with anyone else. I have not received any call, and no contact has been established with me by Shinde ji. I am not upset, and I am with them,” Waje said.

Waje also spoke about a recent meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray. He said only four MPs were present physically, while five others joined virtually through video conferencing. Asked whether some MPs had enough numbers to break away, he did not answer directly and said he was not aware of any fresh development while travelling.

The denials have not ended the uncertainty. For Shiv Sena (UBT), the immediate concern is not just whether MPs leave, but whether such a move could be projected as a formal parliamentary realignment. The meeting with the Speaker shows that the party wants its objection recorded before any rival claim is made.

Shadow of the 2022 Shiv Sena split

The latest episode carries the memory of the 2022 Shiv Sena split, when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion with several MLAs against Uddhav Thackeray. That revolt changed Maharashtra’s government and triggered a long battle over the party name, symbol and legislative strength. The Shinde-led faction was later recognised as the Shiv Sena, while Thackeray’s camp became Shiv Sena (UBT).

Since then, every report of movement within either camp has had wider political meaning in Maharashtra. Any shift by Lok Sabha MPs would weaken the UBT faction’s visibility in Parliament and could be used by rivals to question Thackeray’s control over the organisation. It would also intensify the contest between the two Sena camps ahead of future elections.

For now, there is no official confirmation of any MP leaving Shiv Sena (UBT). The matter remains at the stage of claims, denials and precautionary political moves. By approaching the Speaker, the UBT faction has tried to ensure that any future development is assessed through the anti-defection law, and not through political messaging alone.

With inputs from ANI