Maharashtra Shiv Sena UBT faces internal revolt as MPs allegedly offered bribes to switch parties

A political crisis has erupted within Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra after six Lok Sabha MPs are reported to be ready to join the Eknath Shinde faction. Party members claim the MPs were offered between ₹15 crore and ₹50 crore each to change allegiance, allegations made by MP Sanjay Raut.

The MPs met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Delhi, where they submitted a report urging the speaker to block any illegal defections. Under India’s anti‑defection law, a group of at least six MPs can avoid disqualification by switching together, a rule the party cites to prevent the split. Uddhav Thackeray’s camp has said that those who wish to leave are free to do so, while reaffirming loyalty of other members such as Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Vaze.