‘Loyalty Is For Sale’: Aaditya Thackeray’s Scathing Attack On Rebel Sena (UBT) MPs

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 11:35 IST

Aaditya Thackeray slams six rebel Shiv Sena UBT MPs for joining Eknath Shinde camp, alleging they sold loyalty and betrayed MVA and INDIA voters, UBT warns disciplinary action

Amid growing speculation over ‘Operation Tiger’ and a fresh revolt within Shiv Sena (UBT), party leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday launched a sharp attack on the rebel Lok Sabha MPs, accusing them of selling their loyalty and betraying the mandate of voters who elected them under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and INDIA bloc banner.

His remarks came as six of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs prepared to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, deepening the crisis within the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and marking another major setback nearly four years after Shinde’s rebellion split the organisation.

Aaditya attacks rebel MPs

In a post on X, Aaditya Thackeray accused the MPs of abandoning the political platform on which they were elected.

Addressing the rebels, he wrote that their actions had once again shown that their “loyalty" and “reputation" were available for sale. “To the greedy MPs who have hopped over, you only prove the following, stronger than before: your loyalty, your reputation is for sale, shamelessly. The government is biased and uses public money, politically, as funds," Aaditya said.

He alleged that the MPs had won their seats with the support of Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP (SP) leaders and had campaigned as part of the MVA and INDIA alliance against the NDA.

“All of the ones that are jumping over now were elected on the platforms of the MVA and the INDIA, against the NDA," he said.

‘Voters rejected NDA’

Aaditya argued that the rebel MPs could not justify their decision on ideological grounds.

According to him, all the MPs had sought campaign rallies and support from leaders of alliance partners during the Lok Sabha elections.

He said voters in their constituencies had chosen INDIA bloc candidates over NDA nominees and had endorsed the alliance’s political position.

“The voters voted against the NDA candidates and for INDIA in your constituencies and for all it stands for. Just accept that your greed got you to ditch all of it overnight, shamelessly," he wrote.

Six MPs move towards Shinde camp

The remarks came as six MPs reportedly informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about their decision to form a separate group and are expected to formally align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The development is being viewed as another significant split in the party after the rebellion led by Shinde in 2022.

The rebel MPs have reportedly cited concerns over a possible merger of Shiv Sena (UBT) with the Congress and alleged departure from the party’s original ideology as reasons for their decision.

Only three MPs attend Uddhav camp meeting

Amid the political turmoil, six MPs stayed away from a parliamentary party meeting convened by the Uddhav Thackeray camp in Delhi despite the issuance of a party whip.

Only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waze attended the meeting and publicly reaffirmed their support for Uddhav Thackeray. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders indicated that disciplinary action would be taken against those who skipped the meeting.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said action would be initiated as the MPs ignored an official party directive.

Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant said show-cause notices would be served and legal action could follow if the responses were found unsatisfactory.

UBT leaders warn of action

Sanjay Raut intensified his criticism of the dissident MPs and alleged that they had received financial inducements before being moved to Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray described the entire episode as a “shocking example of dirty politics".

Calling the rebel MPs “shameless, ungrateful and corrupt", he accused them of betraying party workers and voters who had helped secure their victories in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

About the Author

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen...Read More

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