The political crisis within the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray has reached a boiling point, with a formal split now appearing inevitable. During a crucial parliamentary party meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, the party witnessed a significant internal rebellion as only 3 out of its total MPs marked their presence. This development signals a major blow to the Thackeray camp, which has been struggling to maintain its flock since the original split in the party led by Eknath Shinde, while the meeting, which was intended to consolidate the party's strategy in the Parliament, instead highlighted the deep fissures within the legislative wing.
Attendance and the Absentee List
The meeting was convened at the party's office located within the Parliament House complex. According to reports, the only three Members of Parliament who attended the session were Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Raja Waje. Their presence stood in stark contrast to the long list of absentees who chose to skip the high-stakes gathering. The six rebel MPs who distanced themselves from the parliamentary party meeting include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Sanjay Jadhav, while the absence of these six individuals, who constitute a significant majority of the party's strength in the Lok Sabha, suggests that the party is on the verge of a formal division.
Formation of a Separate Group
Sources indicate that the situation has progressed beyond mere internal dissent. It's claimed that the 6 rebel MPs have already taken steps to formalize their separation. They've reportedly formed a separate parliamentary group and have submitted a formal letter regarding this decision to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla. This move is seen as a strategic step to gain recognition as an independent entity or to eventually align with the rival faction. The rebel MPs had reportedly met with Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday morning to discuss their position and submit the necessary documentation to justify their split from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
The Whip and Legal Implications
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership had issued a strict three-line whip, making it mandatory for all its MPs to attend the emergency meeting in person in New Delhi. Sanjay Raut confirmed that the whip was communicated through multiple channels, including physical delivery to their residences, emails, and WhatsApp messages. However, the effectiveness of this whip is now under legal scrutiny, while legal experts suggest that under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, a whip is legally valid only for proceedings within the House and not for internal party organizational meetings. This interpretation stems from the Supreme Court's explanation of Paragraph 2(1)(b) of the Tenth Schedule, which focuses on voting or abstaining from voting within the legislature. Because of this, the rebel MPs might argue that skipping a party meeting doesn't constitute a violation that warrants disqualification from the House.
Reactions from the Thackeray Camp
The party leadership has reacted sharply to the rebellion. Arvind Sawant stated that strict action would be taken against those who violated the party's whip after consultations with party chief Uddhav Thackeray. He emphasized the need to teach the rebels a lesson. Sawant even invoked the memory of the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, mentioning that the founder had once suggested stern measures, including physical reprimand, for MPs and MLAs who switched sides. Sanjay Raut echoed these sentiments, reiterating that the rebels must face consequences for their betrayal. The party intends to move forward with disciplinary proceedings despite the legal complexities surrounding the whip's validity in non-legislative settings.
Next Steps for the Rebels
The rebel faction is expected to make its next move soon. Sources suggest that the 6 rebel MPs are scheduled to meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on June 20. Following this meeting, they're expected to release further details regarding their meeting with Speaker Om Birla and the specific reasons that led to their decision to break away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. This upcoming meeting with Shinde is seen as a precursor to a potential formal alliance or merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, further consolidating the latter's position as the recognized representative of the party's legacy.