The 2022 rebellion that toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government left Uddhav Thackeray fighting for the political survival of his faction. Stripped of the Shiv Sena’s iconic “bow and arrow” symbol, Thackeray set about rebuilding the party from scratch. The effort appeared to pay off in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Shiv Sena (UBT) secured nine of the 21 seats it contested, delivering a major setback to the ruling Mahayuti alliance and reviving hopes of a political comeback.
However, that resurgence now faces a fresh challenge. Reports suggest that six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs—enough to meet the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection provisions—are considering a merger with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. If the move materialises, it would mark yet another major blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
Amid growing speculation, Shiv Sena (UBT) convened a meeting of its Lok Sabha MPs and issued a party whip. Yet, only three MPs turned up: Arvind Sawant from Mumbai South, the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha; Anil Desai from Mumbai South Central; and Rajabhau Waje from Nashik. The absence of the remaining MPs has further intensified rumours of an impending split.
The MPs at the Centre of the Speculation
Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East)
A two-time MP, Sanjay Dina Patil, joined the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019 after leaving the NCP during the formation of the MVA government. His repeated absence from recent party meetings has fuelled speculation that he may be weighing his political options.
Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv)
The son of late Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, Omraje Nimbalkar, has represented Dharashiv twice in Parliament. Once regarded as one of Uddhav Thackeray’s closest confidants, he has recently skipped several key party gatherings, including a meeting at Matoshree.
Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani)
A three-time MP and veteran grassroots leader, Sanjay Jadhav has long been one of the most influential Shiv Sena faces in Parbhani, a traditional stronghold of the party. His absence from recent organisational activities has attracted significant attention.
Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim)
A prominent leader from Vidarbha and a former state minister, Deshmukh, won the Yavatmal-Washim seat in 2024 by defeating the Shinde faction’s Rajashree Patil by more than 94,000 votes. Despite his electoral success under the UBT banner, his recent silence has sparked speculation.
Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli)
A former MLA from Hadgaon and a well-known political figure in Hingoli and Nanded, Ashtikar entered the Lok Sabha for the first time in 2024 after defeating a candidate from the Shinde camp. His absence from recent party meetings has added to the uncertainty.
Bhausaheb Vakchaure (Shirdi)
Vakchaure first entered Parliament on a Shiv Sena ticket in 2009 before briefly switching to the Congress. Returning to Uddhav Thackeray’s fold in 2020, he reclaimed the Shirdi seat in 2024 with a comfortable victory over sitting MP Sadashiv Lokhande. He is now among the names being linked to the reported revolt.
