Six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha members officially crossed over to the ruling Shiv Sena on Monday, formalising yet another split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction after the 2022 rebellion. The defection was confirmed by party sources, marking a significant blow to the UBT camp ahead of the 2029 general elections.
UBT Leader Accuses Defectors of Betrayal
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve did not mince words while reacting to the development. "These MPs have sold themselves for personal gain. They have betrayed the mandate given by the people and the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray," Danve told reporters in Mumbai. He alleged that the defectors were lured with promises of ministerial berths and other perks.
Danve further stated that the UBT faction would approach the Election Commission and the Speaker to disqualify the six MPs under the anti-defection law. "We have evidence of their collusion with the ruling party. We will not let this betrayal go unchallenged," he added.
Details of the Defection
The six MPs who switched allegiance include prominent names from the UBT faction's Lok Sabha contingent. They joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a formal ceremony at the party headquarters in Mumbai. The move reduces UBT's Lok Sabha strength to just three members, severely impacting its parliamentary presence.
This is the second major split in Shiv Sena (UBT) since 2022, when Shinde led a rebellion that toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra. The latest defection comes amid ongoing legal battles over party symbol and control.
Political Implications
Political analysts view this as a strategic win for the Shinde faction, which aims to consolidate its position as the original Shiv Sena. The defection also strengthens the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the Lok Sabha, where the opposition has been gaining ground. For UBT, it raises questions about its ability to retain its remaining MPs and MLAs.
"This is a body blow to Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. It shows that many of his lawmakers are unhappy with his style of functioning and see better prospects with Shinde," said political commentator Abhay Deshpande.
UBT's Response and Future Strategy
UBT has called a meeting of its core committee to discuss the fallout and plan a strategy to prevent further defections. Party insiders say Thackeray is likely to reach out to alliance partners in the INDIA bloc to shore up support. Meanwhile, the Shinde faction has welcomed the new members, with Shinde stating, "Our party is growing because people believe in our vision for Maharashtra's development."
The Election Commission is yet to rule on the status of the Shiv Sena name and symbol, which remains a contentious issue between the two factions. The defection may influence its decision.
