New Delhi, June 18, 2026 : Shiv Sena (UBT) appeared headed for another significant political setback on Thursday as six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting, fuelling strong speculation that they are preparing to formally join the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The absence of the six MPs from the meeting convened by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction was widely viewed as a clear indication of an impending split in the party’s parliamentary ranks.
Only three Lok Sabha MPs — Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje — attended the meeting, along with the party’s lone Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut.
The six MPs who remained absent were Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
Merger Proposal Submitted to Speaker
According to sources, all six dissident MPs have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and have submitted it to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
However, the process is yet to be completed. Sources indicated that the Speaker’s office requires physical verification by some of the MPs before any formal decision is taken. The verification process is currently underway and further procedural steps are expected in the coming days.
Anti-Defection Law Comes Into Focus
On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a three-line whip directing all its MPs to attend Thursday’s parliamentary party meeting. The move was seen as an attempt to lay the groundwork for possible disqualification proceedings against the rebel lawmakers.
Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law, at least two-thirds of a parliamentary party’s members must act together to seek protection from disqualification. With nine Lok Sabha MPs in the Shiv Sena (UBT), the support of six MPs is the minimum requirement for such a move.
Ahead of the meeting, senior MP Arvind Sawant warned that action could be taken against those violating party directives.
“Action will be taken against those who violate the whip after consulting the party chief Uddhav Thackeray,” Sawant told reporters.
Shinde Camp Challenges Validity of Whip
Leaders close to the Shinde camp questioned the legal validity of the whip issued for an internal party meeting.
According to them, the Anti-Defection Law applies primarily to voting and conduct within the House and not to attendance at organisational meetings.
A functionary from the Shinde camp argued that courts have consistently held that while political parties may issue internal directions for organisational discipline, failure to comply with such directions does not automatically attract disqualification under the Tenth Schedule unless it relates to voting or proceedings in the legislature.
UBT Leaders Meet Speaker
A day before the meeting, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to prevent what they described as any unlawful attempt at defection.
Anil Desai maintained that individual MPs cannot simply merge with another party, even if they constitute two-thirds of the parliamentary party.
“Under the law, one cannot simply merge with a party even if they have the support of two-thirds of the MPs. Only the original party can merge if a group has the required two-thirds strength,” Desai said.
Political Significance
The latest development is being viewed as a continuation of the political realignment that began in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion in the undivided Shiv Sena, resulting in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.
Sources said Shinde was in Delhi earlier this week and returned to Mumbai on Wednesday. While there has been no official announcement from the rebel MPs, their absence from the party meeting and reports of a merger request have intensified speculation that another chapter in the Shiv Sena’s internal power struggle is about to unfold.
If the move materialises, it would significantly weaken the parliamentary strength of Shiv Sena (UBT) and further consolidate the position of the Shinde-led faction at the national level.
