New Delhi, 18 June (H.S.): Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against six of its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament who remained absent from the party's parliamentary meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday. Party leaders said the action is being taken for defying the party whip.

Despite a whip issued by the party, six MPs did not attend the meeting. They include Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), and Omprakash alias Om Raje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv/Osmanabad).

Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has claimed that a majority of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are prepared to switch allegiance.

Three Lok Sabha MPs attended the meeting: Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South Central), and Rajabhau Waje (Nashik).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said the parliamentary party meeting had been convened by Lok Sabha floor leader Arvind Sawant and Chief Whip Anil Desai. He added that although he is a Rajya Sabha member, he attended the meeting because of its significance.

Raut said the absence of the six MPs would be treated as a violation of party directives and that disciplinary proceedings had already been initiated against them. Show-cause notices will be issued, seeking an explanation from each of the absent lawmakers.

He further indicated that the party would initiate disqualification proceedings against the rebel MPs. During his interaction with the media, Raut once again used objectionable language while referring to the party's rebel leaders.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar