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Amid speculation of a split, Shiv Sena (UBT) called a meeting of its Lok Sabha MPs and issued a party whip. However, only three MPs showed up.
Six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs — enough to constitute two-thirds of its parliamentary strength — reportedly preparing to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
After a rebellion in 2022 that led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, Uddhav Thackeray sought to rebuild the Shiv Sena (UBT) despite losing the iconic “bow and arrow” symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led faction. The party’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won nine of the 21 seats it contested, jolted the ruling alliance and revived hopes for Thackeray.
But the gains now appear to be under threat once again, with six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs — enough to constitute two-thirds of its parliamentary strength — reportedly preparing to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Amid speculation of another split, the Shiv Sena (UBT) called a meeting of its Lok Sabha MPs and issued a party whip. However, only three MPs attended — Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), the party leader in the Lok Sabha, Anil Desai (Mumbai South Central), and Rajabhau Waje (Nashik).
Here’s A List Of The Rebel MPs
Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East)
Sanjay Dina Patil, a two-time MP, joined the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019 after quitting the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), around the time the Maha Vikas Aghadi came to power in Maharashtra.
Patil has been notably absent from several party meetings in recent weeks, fuelling speculation that he is unhappy with the leadership.
Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv)
Omraje Nimbalkar, son of late Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, is a two-time MP from Dharashiv. He was considered one of Uddhav Thackeray’s trusted lieutenants until he started skipping key party meetings, including one held at Matoshree last week.
Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani)
Sanjay Jadhav, a three-time MP from Parbhani, has long been regarded as a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray. He is highly prominent for his decades-long career as a grassroots leader and his electoral dominance in the Parbhani region, which has long been a fortified bastion for the Shiv Sena.
He too has been conspicuous by his absence from recent party activities and meetings.
Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim)
Former minister Sanjay Deshmukh is one of the prominent faces of the party in Vidarbha. He defeated Rajashree Patil of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena by over 94,000 votes to win the Yavatmal-Washim seat in 2024.
Deshmukh had earlier served two terms as an Independent MLA and held the Sports portfolio in the Maharashtra government between 2002 and 2004.
Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli)
A familiar political figure in the Hingoli and Nanded regions, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar is a former MLA from Hadgaon. He made his Lok Sabha debut in 2024 after defeating Baburao Kadam Kohalikar of the Eknath Shinde faction.
Ashtikar, too, has stayed away from recent party meetings, adding to speculation about his next move.
Bhausaheb Vakchaure (Shirdi)
Bhausaheb Vakchaure first won the Shirdi Lok Sabha seat in 2009 on a Shiv Sena ticket. He later switched to the Congress ahead of the 2014 elections but was unsuccessful.
He returned to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp in 2020 and made a successful comeback in 2024, defeating sitting MP Sadashiv Lokhande of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena by more than 50,000 votes.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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