Uddhav wants rebel MPs disqualified, claims BJP trying to sideline own state faces

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday (June 28) called for the immediate disqualification of six of his party MPs who recently crossed over to the Eknath Shinde faction of the divided Sena, claiming the defections were orchestrated as part of a broader political conspiracy.

Also read: Hurt by Operation Tiger, Uddhav’s Sena pivots to 'true' Hindutva; will it work?

Speaking at a rally in Parbhani in Maharashtra, the former chief minister of the state urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to enforce anti-defection laws and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) central leadership of undermining its own state-level leaders.

One of the Sena (UBT) MPs who defected to the other Sena represents Parbhani, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav. He has held the seat since 2014.

Calls BJP 'Babur Janata Party' over Ram temple scandal

Uddhav, who lost his chief minister's chair after Eknath orchestrated a massive implosion in the party in 2022 and joined hands with the BJP to succeed him to the top post, also lashed out at the saffron party over the recent embezzlement scam in the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. He said the BJP exploited the temple for political gain, labelling it the "Babur Janata Party".

"Babur demolished the Ram Mandir. A 'Babur Janata Party' has now come to loot the newly constructed temple. What is the difference between them?" he questioned.

Stating that MPs loyal to his Sena had given a formal representation to Birla requesting an audience to present their side, noting that party MP Arvind Sawant had cut short an official visit to Kargil after the Speaker advanced the date of the hearing.

The Sena (UBT) now has only three MPs in the Lok Sabha after six joined the Eknath camp. Eknath is currently the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, with his party being a part of the state's Maha Yuti Alliance led by the BJP.

Also read: After MPs, Shinde eyes UBT's grassroots: Can Uddhav fight back?

"If there is a rule of law in this country, these six MPs should be disqualified. I still believe in the Lok Sabha Speaker because if he does not follow the law, he cannot ask others to follow it. We respect his authority, not his wishes," Uddhav, son of the late founder of the original Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray, said.

Earlier this week, the rebel MPs joined Eknath's camp, called the Shiv Sena which has the original poll symbol, the bow and arrow. They had won against the BJP and Shiv Sena candidates in the 2024 general elections.

Operation to sideline Devendra Fadnavis: Uddhav

Uddhav, who is currently undertaking a tour of the Lok Sabha constituencies in the state represented by the rebel MPs, alleged that the defections were part of a "bigger political game" he termed "Operation Devendra", aimed at sidelining Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, just as the party had done to other leaders in the past.

"The people voted against the Modi wave here (Parbhani). Now, the MP who won against that wave has crossed over. This is not a mere rebellion, but a bigger political game," he alleged.

Thackeray claimed the BJP’s central leadership sidelines potential prime ministerial contenders, citing Union ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nitin Gadkari, and Fadnavis as examples.

He alleged that Fadnavis appeared "helpless" during a recent flight they shared because "his own bosses were clipping his wings".

'Eknath Shinde has no future in BJP alliance'

Targeting Eknath, Uddhav claimed that the deputy chief minister had "no future" in the BJP-led alliance and would be "thrown away after being used".

He further questioned the source of the rebel MPs' wealth, pointing to their travel in private jets, and accused them of ignoring the plight of farmers. He specifically recalled his visit to Parbhani following last year's crop damage, alleging that the MP, Jadhav, had remained absent.

Also read: At 60, Shiv Sena battles its biggest survival crisis; will the tiger roar again?

Rebutting claims that his faction had abandoned his father's ideology, he pointed out that his party had won four Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra compared to the BJP’s two.

BJP embraced Hindutva after 1987 Vile Parle bypoll: UBT chief

He also alleged that the BJP only embraced Hindutva after the 1987 Vile Parle bypoll, having previously followed "Gandhian socialism" and distanced itself from the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

Addressing the criticism regarding his own party's struggle, Uddhav retorted, "I am criticised and asked to introspect on why my party is suffering. Introspection should not be done by Uddhav Thackeray alone, but by everyone, including those who criticise me. A case regarding our party's split is pending before the Supreme Court. Why is nobody introspecting on why that case is still pending?"

The Sena (UBT)'s gathering included several leaders of the party, including his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray and senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

(With agency inputs)