Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena faction has initiated strict legal action against its six rebel Members of Parliament by sending them formal legal notices. The stern move aims to prevent these lawmakers from officially merging with the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Arvind Sawant, the parliamentary party leader for the Shiv Sena UBT, issued the formal letters on July 13. In the notices, Sawant firmly reminded the six parliamentarians that they had contested and won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. He highlighted that their electoral victories were achieved using the official party symbol while actively fighting against the candidates of the Eknath Shinde faction.
The legal notices challenge the rebel group based on the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, commonly known as the anti defection law. Citing paragraph four of the schedule, Sawant clarified that a legislative party within the parliament cannot merge with another group unless the original political party itself has merged. Since the core political organization remains entirely independent, the UBT faction claims that any attempt by these six members to merge with the ruling Shinde group is completely illegal and constitutionally invalid.
Furthermore, the Uddhav Thackeray camp has proactively informed the Lok Sabha Speaker about the unfolding situation. They have formally requested the Speaker not to grant any official recognition to the rebel parliamentarians as a separate entity or approve their merger with the Shinde faction. As of now, the Speaker has not issued any official order validating the move by the rebel lawmakers.
Reacting to the legal threats, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde quickly dismissed the notices, calling the entire legal exercise completely ineffective and baseless. Meanwhile, the six rebel parliamentarians at the center of this massive political controversy have deliberately chosen to remain silent and refused to comment on the legal notices sent by their former leadership.
This fresh legal battle adds yet another intense chapter to the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra. As both factions continue their fierce struggle for absolute control over the Shiv Sena legacy, the final decision by the parliamentary authorities will significantly impact the political future of the rebel lawmakers.