Mumbai, 18 June (HS): Shiv Sena (UBT) conducted an important

parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House on Thursday, amid increasing

speculation that the bulk of its Lok Sabha MPs might defect to the Eknath

Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Following claims that six of the party's nine Lok Sabha

MPs are in contact with a rival camp, events are being keenly monitored as the

biggest test yet of Uddhav Thackeray's control over the party. Despite being

alerted of the 11 a.m. meeting, just three Lok Sabha MPs — Anil Desai, Arvind

Sawant, and Rajabhau Waje — had arrived by the time proceedings began. Sanjay

Raut, a Rajya Sabha member and senior party leader, was also present. MPs who

did not attend the meeting might establish their own faction, with Parbhani MP

Sanjay Bandu Jadhav likely to lead it.

Six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs granted Y-Plus Security amid

defection row: According to sources, six Lok Sabha MPs who left the Shiv Sena

(UBT) and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena have been given Y-Plus

security protection. The decision comes amid rising political tensions

following the revolt, which has considerably damaged the Uddhav Thackeray

faction in Parliament.

Meantime, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi leveled

strong assault on BJP over party's alleged Operation Tiger, stating

that the ruling party was motivated by an insatiable appetite for power and was

weakening democratic institutions.

“You are so greedy and fond of power that you demolish the

Constitution, dominate the agencies. You create an environment of terror. You

put the values of democracy at danger. We don't need to justify this. The BJP

will have to answer why they are doing such things, she remarked.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje refuted

allegations that he had been approached during the recent political crisis

within the party, claiming that neither he nor his father, Prakash Waje, had

received any offer from any political faction.

Sanjay Raut further claimed that dissident party MPs were

given an additional Rs 10 crore to go to a safe area in Rajasthan, intensifying

his attacks on leaders who had split ranks with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.

He stated that traitors who have been given police security should remove it.

Sanjay Raut warns of 'Operation Tudwa': Sanjay Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader

and Rajya Sabha MP, issued a harsh warning to dissident party MPs, stating that

the organisation will initiate Operation Tudwa (bash up) against

individuals going against the party's interests. If the renegade MPs have any

morals, they should resign, Raut stated.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant has issued show-cause

notices to MPs who did not attend the parliamentary party meeting, requesting a

response within seven days. He also stated that if the members in question do

not respond, legal action will be taken.

In response to the Shiv Sena (UBT) crisis,NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto

claimed that the BJP puts pressure through several agencies, including the

Income Tax Department, CBI, and ED. He claimed that elected politicians

switching sides after earning a party mandate weakens public trust and accused

the BJP of eroding democratic ideals.

Six UBT MPs are expected to create a new group following

council votes: According to sources, following today's Legislative Council

(Vidhan Parishad) voting, six renegade Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are poised to

legally establish a new group. Parbhani MP Sanjay Bandu Jadhav is expected to

be named leader of the newly formed parliamentary group.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi