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Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Arvind Sawant has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting that no claim seeking separate recognition or merger involving MPs elected on the party’s symbol be accepted without following due process.
The letter, sent at the direction of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, comes amid speculation that some Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could join the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Sawant said reports suggested that certain MPs elected on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol had either approached or were planning to approach the Speaker’s office seeking recognition as a separate group in the Lok Sabha or a merger with another political party, Scroll.in reported.
He argued that Shiv Sena (UBT) continued to be a single political party under the law and that its parliamentary wing was represented through its authorised leader and whip. He requested that no separate status, privileges or recognition be granted to any group claiming to be a breakaway faction of the party.
Sawant maintained that the constitutional framework did not permit multiple groups within Parliament claiming to represent the same political party. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2023 verdict in the Shiv Sena dispute, he said the concept of recognising a party split had ceased to exist after the 2003 amendment to the Tenth Schedule.
He said the court ruling established the supremacy of the political party over the legislature party and argued that MPs could not independently claim representation outside the party structure.
On merger provisions under the Tenth Schedule, Sawant said a valid merger required both the original political party to merge with another party and the support of at least two-thirds of the legislature party members. He argued that meeting only the numerical requirement of legislators was not sufficient.
Sawant asserted that Shiv Sena (UBT) had not merged with any other party and urged the Speaker not to grant recognition or facilities to any faction claiming to represent the party. He also requested that the party be given an opportunity to present its arguments before any decision was taken.
The development comes amid reports of a possible split among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. Several Uddhav Thackeray faction MPs reportedly reached Delhi on Tuesday, while Eknath Shinde also travelled to the national capital later.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have denied reports of an impending split. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut dismissed the reports as false and said party MPs had recently reaffirmed their support for Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. He later alleged that efforts were being made to persuade MPs to switch sides, claiming that some were being offered financial incentives.
Shinde faction leader Shaina NC rejected allegations that her party was attempting to engineer defections, saying it had no intention of breaking another political party. However, MLC Krupal Tumane claimed that talks with seven Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were at an advanced stage and that they could join the Shinde faction before the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament.
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 after Eknath Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, claiming the support of 39 of the party’s 55 MLAs along with independent legislators. The rebellion led to the fall of the Thackeray-led Maharashtra government, with Shinde later becoming chief minister with BJP support.
Since then, both factions have continued their legal and political battle over the claim to represent the original Shiv Sena.