Again there is a possibility of a major split within the Shiv Sena (Uddhav group). Six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs were absent from the parliamentary party meeting called by party MP Anil Desai in Delhi on Thursday.
These six MPs constitute two-thirds of Shiv Sena’s total strength in the Lok Sabha. In the wake of the open revolt, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav group) has issued show-cause notices to all absent MPs and initiated the process of canceling their membership.
Operation Tiger has recently become a hot topic in Maharashtra politics. Seven of the nine sitting Shiv Sena MPs are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and are considering switching sides. The development is reminiscent of the Shinde-led rebellion in 2022, which split the party into two factions.
Shiv Sena MPs were issued a three-line whip for attending an important meeting at Parliament House in Delhi. Nine of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Sanjay Yadav, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, Bhausaheb Walkchore, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Astikar and Rajbhau Baje – were scheduled to attend.
However, after the meeting, MP Rajbhau Baj confirmed that six MPs were absent from the meeting. Only three Lok Sabha MPs – Arvind Sawant, Rajbhau Baj and Anil Desai – attended the meeting. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut was also present.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Raut termed the strategy of the absent MPs as deceitful, dishonest, conspiratorial and deceitful. “Our Lok Sabha leader Arvind Sawant and Chief Whip Anil Desai have called a meeting of MPs at 11 am today,” Raut said.
We consider members who do not attend these meetings to be in violation of party guidelines. Action has been taken because they did not obey the instructions of the party.
Questioning the action of the rebel MPs, Raut said, “They will be served show-cause notices, answers will be sought and we will move towards canceling their membership. They met the Lok Sabha Speaker yesterday demanding merger. We also met the Speaker Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and I.” If you meet those six chairmen, they will also have to show their faces.”
Party MP Anil Desai has made it clear that action has been taken against indiscipline. “Today, show-cause notices were sent as soon as the meeting was over. The procedure is to issue a notice asking ‘Why did you not come?’ You were texted and WhatsApped and you got it. Yet you did not say whether you would come or not, so your absence will be seen as such.
Sanjay Raut directly attacked Eknath Shinde and said that BJP should pay the price for indulging in dirty politics. He warned the rebel MPs saying, “You are still members of the party. You won the election with our party name and symbol. Legal action will be taken if you violate the order. People are seen on TV taking to the streets in their constituencies. This betrayal will be a big lesson for Eknath Shinde and these traitors. Arvind Sawant will be disqualified.” They are producing letters or documents.”