 intensified on Thursday after the party formally issued show-cause notices to its rebel Members){kind=link}
Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued show-cause notices to several MPs amid an escalating internal dispute over alleged defections
June 18, 2026: The internal crisis within Shiv Sena (UBT) intensified on Thursday after the party formally issued show-cause notices to its rebel Members of Parliament. The action follows the absence of several MPs from an important parliamentary meeting, raising questions about their loyalty and sparking fresh speculation about possible defections within the party.
Senior leader Sanjay Raut said only a handful of MPs attended the meeting, while many others remained absent. He dismissed claims regarding the size of the rebel camp and stated that the party had not received any officially signed communication confirming defections or resignations. Raut stressed that attendance records and internal documentation would be used to assess the situation and determine further action.
The party has directed the absent MPs to submit their explanations within seven days. Failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to disciplinary measures and possible legal action under party rules and anti-defection provisions. Raut also rejected reports of any merger or ideological shift, calling such claims speculative and unsupported by formal declarations. The responses of the concerned MPs are now expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the party’s parliamentary unit.