A deepening crisis within the Shiv Sena (UBT) became evident on Thursday (June 17) when only three Lok Sabha MPs attended the party’s parliamentary meeting, reinforcing indications that a majority of its lower house members have aligned with a rebel camp. According to reports, notices are being prepared for absent MPs, accusing them of violating the party whip.

Lok Sabha floor leader Arvind Sawant, chief whip Anil Desai and Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje were the only parliamentarians present at the meeting.

Missing from the gathering were Mumbai North East MP Sanjay Dina Patil, Dharashiv MP Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Parbhani MP Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Yavatmal-Washim MP Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, Shirdi MP Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure and Hingoli MP Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar.

Although Patil, Wakchaure and Ashtikar had publicly denied any plans to switch sides, their absence from the 11 am meeting was interpreted within the party as a sign that they had joined the dissident group.

According to Shiv Sena (UBT) insiders, there had been particular hope that Patil and Ashtikar would remain with the party, especially since the Hingoli MP’s son is contesting the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls with the party’s support.

A report in The Indian Express indicated that the rebel MPs had adopted a resolution claiming that the party had deviated from the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray and expressing apprehension that it could eventually merge with the Congress.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party had earlier issued a three-line whip directing all its Lok Sabha members to attend the meeting and warned that disciplinary action would follow any absence. The move came amid reports that at least two-thirds of the party’s MPs were considering crossing over in a bid to avoid disqualification under anti-defection provisions.

Party leaders have already approached Speaker Om Birla, urging him not to recognise any breakaway faction. They argued that Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule protects legislators from disqualification only when at least two-thirds of the members of the original political party merge with another party and such a move is endorsed by two-thirds of the legislature party.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut launched a fresh attack on the Maharashtra government after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were provided Y+ category security cover.

“If Shiv Sena (UBT) has no strength, then remove their security and see what happens,” Raut said, amid developments that suggest the Uddhav Thackeray-led party is set to lose six MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Escalating his criticism of state minister Girish Mahajan, Raut accused BJP leaders of relying on investigative agencies and state machinery for their survival.

“Remove ED, CBI, and police. First, we will thrash Girish Mahajan. All these BJP leaders will run away immediately,” he said.

The remarks came a day after Raut had warned that Shiv Sena (UBT) workers would not remain silent if attempts were made to weaken the party and had predicted “rada (ruckus)” in Maharashtra.

According to a communication issued by the Maharashtra State Intelligence Department on June 17, police authorities have been instructed to provide Y+ security to six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs because of possible threats.

Raut described the ongoing developments as an act of betrayal rather than politics.

“We had a Gadar movement (in Sena during its foundation), they have Gaddari movement,” he said, targeting both the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

He also alleged that some MPs were being shifted to Jaipur and challenged those contemplating defection to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.

“If they resign and get elected again, we will not call them traitors,” Raut said.

The unfolding developments have brought the Shiv Sena (UBT) closer to another major split, raising fresh questions about the party’s parliamentary strength and the future of Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership ahead of key political contests in Maharashtra.