Uddhav Sena at crossroads as 6 of 9 MPs may defect before foundation day

Since 2022, Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray has hardly found himself at ease. A dramatic split orchestrated by his father’s trusted aide and his bete noire, Eknath Shinde, not only took away his party’s name and symbol but also challenged him as the undisputed heir of Balasaheb Thackeray’s political legacy. Four years down the line, the memory of that breakaway has again come back to haunt him as the party might witness another schism.

Sources close to the development told India Today that six of his nine MPs who won in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls are ready to jump ship. And the defection might occur ahead of June 19, the foundation day of Shiv Sena.

The possible defection could mirror the same pattern as the Trinamool Congress breakdown in West Bengal. Two MPs have already arrived in Delhi. The rest four will arrive at some time. Together, they might form a bloc and then join Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.

THE ABSENCE IN MEETING

Speculations of another possible split shot up in Uddhav Thackeray's camp after five of the nine MPs allegedly remained absent in a meeting held at his residence, Matoshree.

According to Sanjay Raut, Uddhav’s close aide, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waze and Sanjay Patil attended the meeting physically, while Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined virtually.

MP Sanjay Jadhav spoke to Uddhav Thackeray over the phone and is expected to meet him in Mumbai in the coming days.

The buzz further intensified after reports of ‘Operation Tiger’ started making rounds in political circles, suggesting that efforts were underway to engineer a major defection in the Uddhav Thackeray camp.

LET THEM GO, UDDHAV THACKERAY’S FIRM MESSAGE

Amid brewing speculations, Uddhav Thackeray finally opened up and addressed the issue.

Talking at a meeting of party MPs on Sunday, Thackeray drew parallels with the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena and said he had sensed the rebellion brewing long before it became public but chose not to pressure anyone into staying.

"Today might not be mine, but tomorrow definitely is. Until then, we have to endure and bear it," Thackeray said.

“I was the Chief Minister of the state. Did people really think I didn't know what everyone else could clearly see and understand? I had a whiff of what was happening. But I didn't say a word to anyone, didn't pressure them, and didn't open file investigations into their scams," he further added.

Although Uddhav Thackeray has spoken about the possible split, party leader Anil Desai dismissed the possibility. Speaking to ANI, he said, “There is no such thing. Uddhav ji convenes meetings at regular intervals. All MPs have expressed faith in Uddhav ji's leadership. Absolutely no pressure (on MPs). Such talks emerge intermittently, but they are baseless." In addition to this, Aaditya Thackeray also dispersed any possibility of MPs switching sides.

- Ends