Sena-UBT Split 'Rebels Fly to Delhi in Private Jets'

A split in the Shiv Sena(UBT) appeared imminent on Thursday after only three of its nine Lok Sabha members attended a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi despite a party whip directing all members to be present. 

While the six absent MPs issued no statement, their absence effectively confirmed reports of a rebellion within the party. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has issued show-cause notices to the dissidents, giving them seven days to explain their conduct.

According to reports, the six MPs have submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om



Birla seeking recognition as a separate group and expressing their intention to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. 

The lawmakers are understood to have argued that the Thackeray-led party has drifted away from the ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and is exploring a merger with the Congress.

Only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the parliamentary party meeting. Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omraje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Dina Patil skipped the crucial party meeting.