6 rebel Uddhav Sena MPs join Eknath Shinde's faction after days of speculation
Six Members of Parliament from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) joined Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Monday, dealing a major
Six Members of Parliament from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) joined Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Monday, dealing a major blow to the opposition party ahead of key political battles in the state. The switch comes after days of intense speculation over the future of the MPs, who had reportedly been in touch with Shinde's camp amid growing uncertainty within the Uddhav faction. Their move further strengthens Shinde's hold over the Shiv Sena and expands his influence in Maharashtra politics. Read Full Story The six MPs who skipped the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17 are Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) currently had nine Lok Sabha MPs, and the rebel group needed at least six members to meet the two-thirds threshold. The induction of the six MPs is being seen as the latest chapter in the prolonged battle for control of the Shiv Sena, which split in 2022 when Shinde led a rebellion against then-chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The split triggered a political realignment in Maharashtra and led to legal and electoral battles between the rival factions. For Shinde, the latest defections represent another significant victory in his effort to consolidate support within the party founded by Bal Thackeray.
The ruling Shiv Sena has maintained that it represents the original ideology and legacy of the party. 'THOSE WHO NEED TO INTROSPECT SHOULD DO SO' Prior to the split, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had virtually acknowledged the success of the much-discussed "Operation Tiger." Responding to questions about the split in the Shiv Sena (UBT), Fadnavis had said, "The operation has been successful, and the body is in very good health. There is no need for anyone to worry. Those who need to introspect should do so." Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde appeared to hail the induction of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into his faction, saying the development reflected the growing support for his leadership.
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