Shiv Sena (UBT) faces internal rebellion as six MPs defect, Uddhav Thackeray vows to quit

During the Shiv Sena (UBT) 60th foundation day in Mumbai, party chief Uddhav Thackeray said he would step down if the party lost faith in him and warned that the organisation must not fall into the hands of "traitors". At the same time, six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial parliamentary meeting in New Delhi, sparking speculation that they are moving to the rival faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Uddhav‑led faction issued show‑cause notices giving the rebels a 24‑hour deadline to explain their absence, threatening disqualification under the Anti‑Defection Law. Senior spokesperson Sanjay Raut alleged a late‑night financial settlement of ₹25 crore per MP to secure the rebels’ silence and linked the split to disputes over cabinet berths. Photographs later emerged of the absent MPs at a five‑star hotel in Delhi, suggesting strategic discussions. Shinde is said to be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek additional cabinet seats for his faction. Both sides exchanged sharp accusations, with Shinde branding the current turmoil as only a “trailer” to a larger move, while Thackeray reiterated his readiness to resign and to protect the party’s legacy.