Thackeray's Sena summons all MPs for crucial meeting in Delhi
What's the story
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will hold an important meeting of its Members of Parliament (MPs) in Delhi on Thursday. The meeting was called amid rumors of a possible split in the party, with reports that some rebel lawmakers are planning to join Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. A day before the meeting, it was reported that rebel lawmakers had claimed support from six out of nine Lok Sabha MPs and contacted Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Raut
Meeting at 11:00am
Addressing the media ahead of the meeting, Thackeray loyalist Sanjay Raut said the Lok Sabha leader of their party, Arvind Sawant, has issued a whip to all the MPs. "A few issues need to be discussed. This three-line whip has been issued. So, we will begin our meeting at 11:00am...I don't know how many MPs have reached Delhi so far," he said. He also questioned when Shinde's Shiv Sena became the original Shiv Sena, saying, "Jahan Thackeray wahan Shiv Sena."
Alleged operation
Rebel MPs met Birla, claimed support of 6 lawmakers
Party leaders have warned that disciplinary action could be taken against any MP who fails to turn up. The outcome of this meeting will decide if Thackeray continues to lead his parliamentary party or faces another split. According to India Today, sources said a group of rebel MPs met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday and claimed they have the support of six of the party's nine MPs, the two-thirds mark needed to escape disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Legal representation
Sena leaders urge Speaker not to recognize 'unlawful' defection
The escalating drama forced Sena (UBT) leaders Raut, Arvind Sawant, and Anil Desai to meet with Speaker Birla and submit a representation imploring him not to acknowledge any "unlawful" defection. Desai told Birla that even if a group commands the support of two-thirds of MPs, legal provisions favor the original party organization. "Under the law, one cannot simply merge with a party even if they have the support of two-thirds of the MPs," he said after meeting the Speaker.
Unreachable lawmakers
Crisis evident during Raut's press conference in Delhi
Raut insisted that the party had received no official communication from MPs seeking to swap sides but admitted that several lawmakers had become unreachable. "Things will become clear after Thursday's meeting," he said. During a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday, he lashed out at the rebel MPs, hurling abuses and telling the media not to cut out the abuses. Of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs, only Sawant, Desai, and Rajabhau Waje appeared alongside him.