Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on party leaders amid reports of a possible rebellion within the organisation, saying that anyone wishing to move to another political side should first resign from their current position.
Reacting to speculation that some Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MPs may break away from the party, Raut said such a move would not be accepted silently by the people of Maharashtra. He added that the party had not received any official communication from its MPs regarding any decision to leave.
Speaking to reporters, the Rajya Sabha MP questioned the reports of a possible split and demanded clarity from those allegedly considering a change in political alignment.
Raut claimed that money had been offered to some MPs and alleged that arrangements were made for their movement through chartered flights from different locations. However, no formal confirmation regarding these allegations has emerged from the MPs concerned.
He said the party had issued a whip for the Shiv Sena UBT parliamentary party meeting scheduled for June 18 and maintained that the leadership was taking steps to protect the party’s position in Parliament.
Earlier, senior Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting that no separate recognition be granted to any alleged breakaway faction without hearing the party’s side.
Following the developments, Raut, Sawant and another senior party leader, Anil Desai, reached Parliament to meet the Speaker and follow up on the party’s request.
The political uncertainty comes amid reports that a section of Shiv Sena UBT MPs may seek recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha. The situation has intensified speculation of another split within the Shiv Sena after the party’s earlier division that resulted in the formation of the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
The coming days are expected to be crucial for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction as it attempts to maintain unity among its lawmakers and challenge any move to recognise a separate parliamentary group.
