Shiv Sena (UBT) issued a whip in Delhi because six of its MPs had been continuously absent. It was expected that since the whip had been issued by Shiv Sena (UBT), these six MPs would attend the meeting. However, as we saw, they did not turn up. Speaking to journalists in Delhi at that time, Sanjay Raut said that this time the battle would not be easy for these six MPs. Do you remember? Listen to what he had said then.
Wherever these people have been elected from in Maharashtra, the people there have come out onto the streets. This time it won’t be easy. This betrayal will prove very costly for Eknath Shinde as well as for these five or six traitors. We will not remain silent anymore. We have made it clear. The way the BJP has polluted the country’s politics, especially in Maharashtra, they too will have to pay the price.
Although Sanjay Raut made these remarks last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) already knew what had happened in 2022, when Eknath Shinde gradually won over their MPs and MLAs and eventually took control of the party name. Therefore, this time the battle is not just legal it is also being fought on the ground.
As a result, Shiv Sena (UBT) is now fighting this battle on three different fronts. The fight is continuing in Delhi, in Mumbai, and also in the constituencies of these six MPs.
Shiv Sena MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai went to Delhi and met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Pictures of their meeting surfaced. Speaking to the media afterward, Arvind Sawant said that first, a group communication and whip had already been issued to these MPs. Secondly, they had earlier written to Om Birla requesting that before taking any decision, he should speak to them because these MPs belonged to Shiv Sena (UBT). As the Chief Whip, he argued that he should have been informed.
Six MPs sharing the stage with Eknath Shinde. They were openly identifying themselves as members of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde himself was claiming that “Operation Tiger” had been successful.
However, Arvind Sawant pointed out that a whip had already been issued and legal proceedings had already begun. So how could these six MPs suddenly merge into Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena?
Om Birla has reportedly asked for some time. The details of the letters submitted and the demands made will be revealed later.
So this is the legal battle currently underway in Delhi.
It appears that a confrontation has emerged between Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Dina Patil, who represents the constituency where Raut lives and who has now joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
The dispute has escalated to such an extent that Sanjay Raut has demanded action against Sanjay Dina Patil under the UAPA.
Sanjay Raut had repeatedly stated in Delhi that this battle would not be like 2022 and that it would be much more difficult for the rebel MPs.
Afterward, all six MPs were provided Y+ security.
It is also important to remember that after these six MPs joined Eknath Shinde, they were flown to their constituencies on chartered aircraft. Pictures of these charter flights also surfaced.
Think about it. While ordinary people in Mumbai were stranded in the first monsoon rains and roads were flooded, MPs were being flown in chartered planes. That is a separate issue for another day.
Not only were these MPs given charter flights, but Sanjay Raut also posted on social media claiming that in Shirdi, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers were being detained by the police because they were protesting aggressively against these rebel MPs.
The atmosphere on both sides was clearly tense.
Meanwhile, Suraj Ojha, a Mumbai journalist from ABP News, interviewed Sanjay Dina Patil. During the interview, he was asked about the growing criticism and the warnings that things would not be easy for the rebel MPs.
Sanjay Dina Patil reportedly said:
Come and protest here if you have the courage. If you know my history, I have already destroyed five people before. If you or anyone else looks at my workers the wrong way or comes here to create trouble, bombs will be used.
These remarks were made on record by a sitting MP.
Sanjay Raut has now used this interview as evidence. He has written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, demanding that an FIR be registered against Sanjay Dina Patil. He has also demanded action under the UAPA, arguing that authorities should investigate where these alleged killings took place and how he possesses such weapons.
Speaking to the media today, Sanjay Raut said:
“I have written a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Devendra Bharti. One of Mumbai’s MPs, who has now become a traitor, openly says that he has bombs and that if anyone protests against him, he will throw bombs at them. This is a very serious matter. Even our country’s armed forces need the Prime Minister’s approval before carrying out military action. But this man openly says he will throw bombs, kill people, and that he has already killed many before. There must be an investigation. If he has bombs, where did they come from? Has Eknath Shinde set up a bomb factory? Has every traitor been supplied bombs and hand grenades because people are angry with them? All this must be investigated. I have written the letter, and I will go to court. Our Shiv Sainiks will return there to protest. Go ahead—throw your bombs. Are we afraid?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) is now preparing for an aggressive political campaign, and Uddhav Thackeray himself is set to visit several constituencies.
Uddhav Thackeray once again apologized to party workers and urged them to go and ask these MPs why they had defected.
Looking at the crowd, it was evident that a significant number of supporters still stand firmly with Uddhav Thackeray.Between June 27 and June 29, Uddhav Thackeray is scheduled to visit Yavatmal, Washim, Hingoli, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Shirdi—the constituencies of the five rebel MPs who have joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
During these visits, he is first apologizing to the people and then asking party workers to directly question the rebel MPs about their actions. Through this campaign, Uddhav Thackeray hopes to retain his political base. Another interesting development that has emerged and one that Uddhav Thackeray is expected to use is related to the MPLADS Fund. When these MPs defected, they all claimed that they had not received development funds and therefore had no choice but to switch sides.
However, data regarding the MPLADS Fund has now surfaced. If you examine these figures—and I am certain Uddhav Thackeray will use them it becomes clear that these MPs had indeed received substantial funds. The issue was that they had not utilized them.
For example:
Nagesh Ashtikar received ₹19 crore but spent only ₹5 crore. Out of 119 projects initiated, only 28 were completed.
Omprakash Nimbalkar received ₹18.5 crore but utilized only ₹4 crore. He started 151 projects but completed only 21.
Sanjay Deshmukh received ₹18.6 crore but spent only ₹1.4 crore. Out of 113 projects, he completed just seven.
Sanjay Dina Patil—the same MP making remarks about bombs—received ₹1.7 crore but used only ₹15.6 lakh. He initiated 40 projects but failed to complete even one.
Sanjay Jadhav received ₹17 crore, utilized only ₹3.8 crore, started 81 projects, and completed just 25.
Waghchaure received ₹14.7 crore but spent only ₹71.3 lakh. He launched 135 projects and completed only two.
That is also likely to become part of Uddhav Thackeray’s political narrative.
That is why this tour between June 27 and June 29 is considered so important. Sanjay Raut is putting pressure on the Mumbai Police. Arvind Sawant is meeting Om Birla in Delhi. And Uddhav Thackeray is personally taking the battle to the ground.The fight has now begun on all three fronts. These are the latest strategies being employed by Shiv Sena (UBT).
