Another Shiv Sena Split Brewing? Uddhav Camp MPs Set To Meet Om Birla, Eknath Shinde In Delhi

Published 17 June 2026 · local

Another Shiv Sena Split Brewing? Uddhav Camp MPs Set To Meet Om Birla, Eknath Shinde In Delhi Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 09:26

Another Shiv Sena Split Brewing? Uddhav Camp MPs Set To Meet Om Birla, Eknath Shinde In Delhi Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 09:26 IST The MPs are likely to meet at the residence of Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, with Eknath Shinde also expected to be present. Rapid Read Shiv Sena has already experienced a devastating split once, even rumours of a fresh rebellion are enough to trigger alarm within the organisation. Shiv Sena (UBT) Split: Four years after the revolt that split the Shiv Sena into two factions and reshaped Maharashtra politics, Uddhav Thackeray is once again facing the possibility of defections within his party. The buzz intensified after reports emerged that several party MPs are likely to meet Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in New Delhi on Wednesday. Speculation is rife that six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs elected on the Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket in 2024 and as many as 14-16 MLAs could leave the Uddhav camp and align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the coming days, most probably ahead of June 19, the foundation day of the Shiv Sena, India Today reported citing sources. Read More: The Domino Effect: Why Another Split In Uddhav’s Shiv Sena Could Hurt More In Delhi Than Maharashtra As per sources, two MPs have already reached the national capital, while others are expected to arrive later in the day. The MPs are likely to meet at the residence of Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, with Eknath Shinde also expected to be present.

The rebel leaders would likely meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at 11 am today. While no formal split has taken place yet, the buzz has become strong enough for party leaders to convene emergency meetings and issue public denials. Several MPs Reported Missing The speculation of defection gained momentum after five of the party’s nine MPs were reportedly absent from a recent meeting convened by Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said four of the MPs attended the meeting virtually, while another MP had spoken to Thackeray over the phone. Despite the clarification, rumours of defections continued after party MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav from the Shinde camp. Deshmukh later said the meeting was non-political. Uddhav Thackeray’s Stern Message Amid the uncertainty, Uddhav Thackeray reportedly told party MPs that those wishing to leave were free to do so. Referring to the 2022 rebellion, he said he had been aware of the developments at the time but chose not to pressure anyone into staying with the party. “A major split took place in the party four years ago. Forty MLAs walked away. Do you think I was unaware of what was happening?" Thackeray told MPs. Read More: ‘Those Who Want To Leave Can Go’: Uddhav Thackeray’s Message To Party MPs Amid ‘Op Tiger’ Buzz He is also said to have remarked that those who abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena would eventually regret their decision, but by then it would be too late. “Today may not be my time, but tomorrow certainly will be. Until then, we will have to endure and persevere," he added.