Key facts
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders deny internal rifts among their nine Lok Sabha MPs.
- Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with the party's Lok Sabha MPs.
- Only four MPs were physically present at the meeting; five attended via video conference.
- Rival Shiv Sena ministers have claimed that several UBT MPs are planning to switch sides.
- Sanjay Raut stated that no MPs would defect and cited personal/medical reasons for absences.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have denied any internal rifts within the party, asserting unity among their nine Lok Sabha MPs following a meeting convened by party president Uddhav Thackeray. The meeting was called amid speculation and claims from the rival Shiv Sena faction that several UBT MPs were poised to switch sides.
Only four of the nine MPs were physically present for the Sunday meeting, with the remaining five reportedly joining via video conferencing. Shiv Sena ministers have openly stated that UBT MPs are expected to join their camp soon, with Union Minister Pratap Jadhav claiming at least seven MPs would switch.
Following the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut dismissed these claims, stating that all MPs were united and none would defect. He attributed the absence of some MPs to personal and medical reasons, citing one MP's involvement in his son's MLC polls, another's daughter's wedding, and others' family medical emergencies. However, the low physical turnout has fueled further speculation. One MP, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, who attended online, confirmed his participation was due to his son's election campaign. Another MP, Sanjay Jadhav, had previously expressed ambiguity about his future political stance.
Sources within the Shiv Sena camp suggest they have received positive signals from at least six UBT MPs and anticipate potential switches closer to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.