Another split in Thackeray’s Shiv Sena?:Shinde faction claims 7 MPs may switch sides; Uddhav says they are free to leave

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLC Krupal Tumane has claimed that seven MPs from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with his faction. Speaking to ANI, Tumane said discussions have been taking place for the past month under what he called “Operation Tiger”. He claimed the process is now in its final stage and that the MPs could join the Shinde faction before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Uddhav tells leaders ‘They are free to leave’ According to media reports, Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with party MPs on June 14. During the meeting, he reportedly said that anyone wishing to leave the party would not be stopped and could leave freely. Referring to the split in Shiv Sena in 2022, Uddhav said he had been aware of the rebellion at the time but did not pressure anyone to stay. Also Read | Big leadership change likely in Shiv Sena UBT UBT MP meets Union Minister Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav in Delhi on Monday. Deshmukh had not attended Sunday’s party meeting in person, citing family reasons. Raut rejects split claims Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut dismissed the claims made by the Shinde faction. He said all party MPs remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray and described reports of another split as false. Raut questioned Tumane’s political significance, saying, “Who is Kripal Tumane? He is not a major name in Maharashtra politics.” He added that all MPs had attended Uddhav Thackeray’s meeting four days earlier and had expressed confidence in his leadership. According to Raut, some leaders even swore on their family members that they would remain with Thackeray. Attendance at meeting under scrutiny Media reports, however, claimed that only four MPs attended the meeting in person, while one joined online. Four MPs were reportedly absent. How Shiv Sena split in 2022 The Shiv Sena split began on June 20, 2022, when 40 of the party’s 55 MLAs sided with Eknath Shinde. At the time, Uddhav Thackeray was Chief Minister of Maharashtra. After the Governor ordered a floor test, Thackeray approached the Supreme Court. However, as the court did not halt the floor test, he resigned. Shinde became Chief Minister On June 30, 2022, Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister with the support of the BJP. Both factions later approached the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of each other’s MLAs. The court left the final decision to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Speaker recognised Shinde faction On January 10, 2024, Narwekar ruled that the Shinde faction was the legitimate Shiv Sena because it had the support of 37 MLAs at the time of the rebellion. He rejected petitions seeking the disqualification of the rebel MLAs and allowed them to retain their Assembly membership. The Election Commission of India later allotted the Shiv Sena’s traditional bow-and-arrow election symbol to the Shinde faction. ​