Kolhapur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that Shiv Sena now exists solely under the leadership of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, dismissing any notion of factions within the party. His remarks came amid growing speculation about a possible rebellion in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) camp, following the absence of six party MPs from a key parliamentary meeting in New Delhi.
Addressing a public rally in Kolhapur, Shah took a swipe at former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and reiterated the BJP-led NDA’s recognition of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena as the party’s legitimate political successor.
Shah dismisses existence of Shiv Sena factions
During his speech, Amit Shah said the political situation had evolved significantly since the split in Shiv Sena that reshaped Maharashtra politics in 2022.
“Earlier, people had to say ‘Shiv Sena-Shinde faction’ after Eknath Shinde ji’s name. But now no faction remains anymore, there is only one Shiv Sena,” Shah told supporters at the rally.
The statement is being viewed as a strong political message from the BJP leadership amid signs of unrest within the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp. Shah’s remarks also come at a time when discussions about possible defections and realignments in Maharashtra politics have intensified.
Rebellion buzz grows in Uddhav camp
Political circles in Maharashtra have been abuzz with reports of a fresh split within Shiv Sena (UBT). The speculation gained momentum after six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting convened by the leadership in Delhi.
Reports indicate that the absent MPs have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate grouping in Parliament. Their move has fuelled speculation that they could eventually align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and extend support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.
The development has raised concerns within the Uddhav Thackeray camp, which is already recovering from the major split that led to the formation of the Shinde government in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena (UBT) issues show-cause notices
In response to the growing uncertainty, Shiv Sena (UBT) has initiated disciplinary action against the absentee MPs. The party’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Anil Desai, issued show-cause notices asking them to explain their conduct within 24 hours.
The notices warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could be interpreted as voluntarily giving up party membership. Such a move could invite action under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law.
Party leaders have maintained that organisational discipline must be upheld and that elected representatives are expected to follow party directives.
Six MPs absent from crucial meeting
The latest political turmoil emerged during a parliamentary party meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting had been called by the party leadership and attendance was considered mandatory.
Of the nine Lok Sabha MPs belonging to Shiv Sena (UBT), only three attended the gathering. These included Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje.
The six MPs who remained absent were Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
Their absence has been interpreted as a coordinated move and has intensified speculation regarding a potential shift in loyalties.
Operation Tiger speculation gains momentum
Political observers have linked the developments to what is being referred to in some reports as “Operation Tiger”, an alleged effort aimed at bringing more Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders into the Shinde camp.
While no official confirmation has emerged regarding a merger or mass defection, the ongoing developments suggest that Maharashtra’s political landscape could witness another major realignment in the coming weeks.
Any large-scale movement of MPs or senior leaders would further strengthen Eknath Shinde’s position within the Shiv Sena and bolster the NDA’s numbers and influence.
Conclusion
Amit Shah’s declaration that only one Shiv Sena exists under Eknath Shinde has added a new dimension to the ongoing political developments in Maharashtra. With six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs facing disciplinary action and speculation mounting over possible defections, the coming days are likely to be crucial for both the Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camps. The unfolding situation could significantly impact the state’s political equations ahead of future electoral contests.
