The Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued a whip to its Members of Parliament to attend a meeting in New Delhi to discuss "important issues", amid speculation of an imminent rebellion in the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, sources said on Wednesday.
The party can initiate disqualification proceedings against those who skip the meeting, they added.
A similar whip was issued in 2022 when 39 MLAs led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde rebelled against the Sena leadership, leading to disqualification proceedings against them.
The Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing a crisis, with "six to seven" of its nine Lok Sabha MPs reportedly inclined to switch to the Shinde-led ruling Shiv Sena and camping in the national capital, sources said on Tuesday.
This development has intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, as the Thackeray faction struggles to retain its legislative strength. The meeting in Delhi is expected to address the rebellion and consolidate the party's position.
