Fresh Rift Likely in Shiv Sena (UBT) as MPs’ Moves Spark Defection Buzz

A fresh split appears to be brewing within the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, as several party MPs’ recent activities have triggered speculation of possible defections. Senior party leader and three-time Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Jadhav from the Marathwada region has raised concerns after skipping two key meetings — one held at Thackeray’s residence, Matoshree, and another at Sena Bhavan in Mumbai. His absence has unsettled party ranks, especially as he has reportedly been unreachable since then.

Adding to the uncertainty, Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim) recently attended a dinner hosted in Delhi by Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav. Shortly afterward, reports emerged that Sanjay Jadhav also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital, further fueling speculation of behind-the-scenes political negotiations. Sources indicate a growing lack of coordination between the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership and its MPs.

Some lawmakers are said to have expressed dissatisfaction, attributing the party’s poor performance in recent local body elections to internal disarray. Amid these developments, rumors are intensifying that the three MPs may switch allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Observers note parallels with the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde that split the Shiv Sena earlier, suggesting the possibility of another fracture within Shiv Sena (UBT) nearly four years later.