Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi to urge constitutional compliance before any break-away group is recognized.
The meeting comes amid reports that the party faces a significant internal split that could shift the balance of power in the legislature. If a majority of the faction defects, it could fundamentally alter the party's standing and legal recognition.
Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, and Anil Desai of the Shiv Sena (UBT) met with Birla at the Parliament House. The leaders said the Speaker should adhere to constitutional provisions before officially recognizing any group attempting to split from the party [1].
Reports indicate that six of the nine UBT members of parliament are planning to join the faction led by Eknath Shinde [2]. This potential move is reportedly scheduled for June 19, 2024 [2].
The instability has led to allegations of financial inducements. Sanjay Raut said that someone important told him MPs were promised 50 crore INR [3].
There are conflicting reports regarding the certainty of these defections. While some sources state the move is set for June 19, another source described as a rebel said he remains pro-Uddhav, suggesting the MPs may not defect [2].
The UBT leadership is attempting to preempt the shift by ensuring the Speaker does not fast-track the recognition of a new faction without a rigorous constitutional process [1].
“Six of the nine UBT MPs are reported to be planning to join Eknath Shinde’s faction.”
This confrontation highlights the ongoing volatility within the Shiv Sena's fractured wings. If six of the nine MPs defect, the UBT faction would lose its legislative majority, potentially allowing the Shinde-led group to claim legitimacy over the party's name and symbol under Indian parliamentary rules.
