Show-Cause Notices Issued to Six Absentee MPs
The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has escalated its internal crisis by issuing fresh show-cause notices to six of its Lok Sabha MPs who remain absent from party meetings. The party's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Anil Desai, formally served the notices, giving the lawmakers a strict 24-hour deadline to provide a written explanation for their behavior. The notice warns that failure to respond within the stipulated time will be interpreted as a voluntary relinquishment of party membership, leading to action under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law.
Mass Defections Under 'Operation Tiger'
The crisis stems from a coordinated defection drive, dubbed 'Operation Tiger', which has seen several Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians switch allegiance to the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This mass exodus has pushed the UBT faction to the brink, manifesting in open hostility, missing MPs, and threats of legal action. The situation reached a flashpoint on Thursday in New Delhi when a mandatory parliamentary party meeting convened by the UBT leadership displayed a stark division.
Only Three of Nine MPs Attend Critical Meeting
Out of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs, only three attended the meeting called by party whips: Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje. The remaining six—Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure—were conspicuously absent. In response, the UBT faction moved swiftly to assert authority. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut announced that show-cause notices had been issued to the six absentees, initiating the formal process for their disqualification from the Lower House.
Raut Threatens Disqualification Under Anti-Defection Law
"The process for taking action has started," Raut declared during a press conference. "We will make every effort to get them disqualified. If the Speaker of the Lok Sabha works according to the rules, the law, and the Supreme Court's directives, these people will be disqualified." The buzz surrounding 'Operation Tiger' gained significant momentum after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) have expressed confidence in Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and have already joined his faction.
Impact on Party Stability and Future Actions
The defections threaten to further weaken the UBT faction, which has already lost significant ground since the split in the Shiv Sena. The party's leadership is now banking on legal recourse to prevent a complete erosion of its parliamentary strength. The outcome of the show-cause notices and potential disqualification proceedings will be crucial in determining the faction's ability to retain its remaining MPs and maintain its political relevance in Maharashtra and at the national level.
