Six Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction are reportedly moving to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena [1].

This potential shift threatens to dismantle the legislative strength of the UBT faction in the lower house. A successful merger would bolster the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) numbers in the Lok Sabha while leaving Uddhav Thackeray with a depleted parliamentary presence.

The six MPs reportedly skipped a crucial party meeting [1]. This group represents a significant portion of the party's total nine Lok Sabha MPs [1]. While some reports suggest six members are set to join the Shinde camp [1], other accounts indicate that as many as seven out of nine MPs have been involved in secret talks to defect [5].

Procedural steps to finalize the move are already underway. The MPs reportedly submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on June 19, 2024 [4], requesting a merger with the Shinde-led faction. A formal announcement regarding the move is planned for June 21, 2024 [3].

The move carries significant legal risks under India's anti-defection law. The rebel MPs could face disqualification from their seats if they do not respond to show-cause notices issued by the party leadership. However, the MPs are reportedly seeking this alignment to avoid internal disciplinary action within the UBT faction, and to align with the ruling coalition [2].

The internal crisis within the Maharashtra-based party reflects ongoing instability between the two rival Shiv Sena factions. The Shinde-led group, which is aligned with the NDA, seeks to consolidate its hold over the party's identity and legislative assets. This latest rebellion, described by some as "Operation Tiger," suggests a continued trend of legislators migrating toward the ruling power structure to secure political survival [2].

“Six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs are set to join the Shinde camp.”

The defection of a majority of UBT's Lok Sabha MPs would effectively neutralize the party's influence in the center. By leveraging the anti-defection law's merger exception, the rebel MPs are attempting to transition to the Shinde faction without losing their seats. This move strengthens the NDA's parliamentary coalition and further isolates Uddhav Thackeray, potentially shifting the balance of power in Maharashtra's volatile political landscape.