Sena UBT MPs offered Rs 15 crore to switch, claims Sanjay Raut amid revolt rumours

A late-night claim of a Rs 15 crore offer to MPs has intensified speculation of a major rebellion within Shiv Sena UBT, prompting the party to issue a whip and scramble to contain the crisis.

In Short

• Shiv Sena UBT ordered all nine MPs to attend a Delhi meeting
• Party sources warned absent lawmakers could face disqualification proceedings over defection fears
• Only four MPs attended Uddhav Thackeray's Mumbai meeting in person on Sunday

A late-night allegation by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut that Maharashtra MPs were being offered an advance of Rs 15 crore each to switch sides has dramatically escalated the political storm surrounding a possible rebellion within the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

The claim came as speculation intensified that six to seven of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs could break away and join the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In a post on X late Tuesday night, Raut wrote, "Apna sapna money...money! There is information that an advance of Rs 15 crore will be given tonight to buy MPs from Maharashtra. This is shocking and disgusting!"

The allegation surfaced amid mounting concerns within Shiv Sena (UBT) over the loyalty of some of its MPs and reports that several lawmakers were in New Delhi as political activity gathered pace.

PARTY ISSUES WHIP AMID DEFECTION FEARS

With rumours of a split refusing to die down, Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a whip directing all its MPs to attend a meeting in New Delhi to discuss what sources described as "important issues".

According to party sources, lawmakers who skip the meeting could face disqualification proceedings.

The move mirrors the strategy adopted by the party during the 2022 rebellion led by Eknath Shinde, when 39 MLAs revolted against the Uddhav Thackeray leadership, triggering the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and eventually splitting the Shiv Sena.

SIX TO SEVEN MPS MAY SWITCH: SOURCES

Sources said six to seven MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) were inclined to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, deepening concerns within the Opposition camp.

A leader from the Shinde camp claimed the discontent was linked to a possible expansion of Aditya Thackeray's role within the party.

According to sources, Shiv Sena (UBT) was considering an announcement regarding Aditya Thackeray on June 19, the 60th foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena. Some MPs were allegedly unhappy with the prospect of his further elevation, the leader claimed.

Sources also said Eknath Shinde was expected to arrive in New Delhi late Tuesday, further fuelling speculation over possible political developments.

SARNAIK'S REMARKS ADD TO SPECULATION

Adding to the intrigue, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik appeared to leave the door open for disgruntled lawmakers.

"If public representatives like MPs and MLAs do not trust their leadership... If they believe in the ideals of Sena founder Bal Thackeray and are willing to trust the leadership of Eknath Shinde, then the doors of the Shiv Sena are open to them," Sarnaik said.

He added, "We will give them priority if they thought of it (any time) in the future."

His remarks came a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union minister and Shiv Sena leader Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi.

Deshmukh had earlier skipped a meeting convened by Uddhav Thackeray at his Mumbai residence on Sunday, citing family reasons. His meeting with Jadhav later fuelled speculation about a possible switch.

ATTENDANCE AT THACKERAY MEETING RAISES QUESTIONS

The perception of a brewing rebellion strengthened after only four of the party's nine MPs attended Sunday's meeting in person.

Those present physically were Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Patil. Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined online, while MP Sanjay Jadhav reportedly spoke to Thackeray over the phone.

Raut insisted the absence of some MPs should not be interpreted as a sign of rebellion.

He said all the MPs had reaffirmed their loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray and the party.

"They swore in the name of their mother, children, Saibaba and Goddess Tuljabhavani that they will not abandon party chief Uddhav Thackeray," Raut said.

RAUT DISMISSES SPLIT TALK

Rejecting reports of an imminent breakaway, Raut maintained that all MPs remained united.

"All Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are together and will remain together," he told reporters in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi.

Asked whether he had travelled to the national capital to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid reports that some MPs might form a separate group on the lines of the Trinamool Congress rebels, Raut dismissed the suggestion.

"The (undivided) Shiv Sena has a legacy of 60 years and has a history of agitating for different causes. We have seen many ups and downs in the past. But ours is a cadre-based party. MLAs and MPs come and go, but the party remains," he said.

Raut also attacked the BJP, accusing it of engineering splits in opposition parties and calling the practice harmful for the country's political health.

"Hamara din jab aayega, hum dikhayenge party kaise todi jata hai," he said.

DESAI SAYS ALL MPS REMAIN WITH PARTY

Echoing Raut's position, Lok Sabha MP Anil Desai rejected claims that a section of the parliamentary party was preparing to break away.

"There is no such thing. A series of meetings have been conducted by Uddhav Thackrey ji in the last one-and-a-half years, and everyone attended," he said.

"In the last meeting, four of us were there in person while five of them were on video conferencing. They could not come to Matoshree in Mumbai because they had their individual engagements, which were fixed much earlier."

Even as the leadership attempts to project unity, the combination of a party whip, reports of MPs camping in New Delhi, Shinde's expected visit to the capital and Raut's explosive 15 crore allegation has ensured that questions about the stability of Shiv Sena (UBT) remain firmly at the centre of Maharashtra politics.

- Ends