Sena-Congress Merger Claim: What Six Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Sena-Congress Merger Plan: A fresh political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after six Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction reportedly met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and sought recognition as a separate group in Parliament. The move is being viewed as a major setback for former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and has reignited discussions about the future of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction.

According to reports, the rebel MPs claimed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction had drifted away from the core ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray and was moving towards a closer political association with Congress. The MPs reportedly told the Speaker that discussions regarding a possible merger with Congress had influenced their decision to break away from the party.

What The Rebel MPs Told The Speaker

Sources cited in media reports stated that the six MPs informed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that they were unhappy with the ideological direction of Shiv Sena (UBT). They alleged that the party leadership was increasingly aligning itself with Congress and that such a shift was unacceptable to them.

The rebels reportedly argued that the original Shiv Sena was founded on a distinct political ideology and that any move towards a merger or closer integration with Congress would be a betrayal of that legacy. They used this argument to justify their decision to separate themselves from the Uddhav-led faction.

In addition to seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary group, the MPs are also reported to have requested a change in their seating arrangements in the Lok Sabha so they could sit closer to MPs belonging to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

A New Crisis For Uddhav Thackeray

The latest rebellion comes nearly four years after the dramatic split in Shiv Sena that saw Eknath Shinde lead a large group of legislators away from Uddhav Thackeray’s camp. That revolt eventually resulted in Shinde becoming Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and the Election Commission recognizing his faction as the official Shiv Sena.

Now, the possibility of six out of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs breaking away threatens to further weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s position within Maharashtra politics. Reports suggest that the rebel MPs may formally align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the coming days.

Political observers believe that if the merger materializes, it could significantly strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament while reducing the influence of the opposition alliance in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Hits Back

The Uddhav Thackeray camp has reacted strongly to the developments. Party leaders have dismissed the allegations regarding any proposed merger with Congress and have accused the rebel MPs of betraying the mandate given to them by voters. Reports indicate that the party has issued show-cause notices to the dissident MPs and urged the Lok Sabha Speaker not to recognize any separate faction.

Senior leader Arvind Sawant reportedly wrote to Speaker Om Birla, requesting that no recognition be granted to any breakaway group. He argued that matters concerning the identity of the “real Shiv Sena” remain subject to legal and political scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have attempted to project unity and maintain confidence despite the growing crisis. However, the absence of several MPs from key party meetings has fueled speculation that the split could become official sooner rather than later.

Political Significance Of The Development

The rebellion carries significance beyond the internal politics of Shiv Sena. Maharashtra remains one of India’s most politically important states, and any change in the balance of power within major regional parties can have a direct impact on national politics.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and other opposition parties, has relied heavily on unity among its partners. Any weakening of Shiv Sena (UBT) could affect the alliance’s electoral calculations ahead of future state and national elections.

At the same time, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena stands to gain politically if the MPs formally join its ranks. Such a move would further consolidate Shinde’s control over the Shiv Sena legacy and strengthen his position within Maharashtra politics.

What Happens Next?

The focus is now on the decision of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the requests submitted by the rebel MPs. Political parties across Maharashtra are closely watching the developments, as the Speaker’s decision could influence the future course of the Shiv Sena split.

If the six MPs are recognized as a separate group and later merge with the Eknath Shinde-led faction, it would mark another major chapter in the continuing political battle over the Shiv Sena’s identity. Until then, both camps are expected to intensify their efforts to win public support and strengthen their positions.

As Maharashtra witnesses yet another political showdown, the coming days could prove crucial in determining the future of Uddhav Thackeray’s faction and the broader opposition landscape in the state.

Key Facts Table

Topic	Details
Issue	Rebellion by six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs
Meeting With	Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Main Claim	Uddhav camp planning closer ties/merger with Congress
Rebels’ Demand	Recognition as separate group
Possible Outcome	Merger with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena
UBT Response	Show-cause notices and opposition to recognition
Political Impact	Potential weakening of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MVA alliance

FAQ

Q1. Why did the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs meet the Lok Sabha Speaker?

The MPs reportedly sought recognition as a separate parliamentary group and explained their reasons for breaking away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

Q2. What is the ‘Sena-Congress Merger Plan’ claim?

The rebel MPs alleged that the Uddhav Thackeray faction was moving towards a merger or deeper alignment with Congress, which they said was against Shiv Sena’s ideology.