Party’s Chief Whip in Lok Sabha Anil Desai has issued a formal notice to the absentee MPs, giving them a strict 24-hour deadline to provide a written explanation for their behavior.
The notice, as accessed by ANI, carries a stern warning.
If the MPs fail to respond to the communication within the stipulated time, the party will assume they have voluntarily given up their membership. Consequently, the politicians will face action under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (the Anti-Defection Law).
Also read: Uddhav apologises amid fresh revolt by 6 MPs
The notice come at a time when the party is grappling with internal challenges and defections, nearly four years after the split in the Shiv Sena that led to the formation of the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
Rumours of another potential split within the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is being called “Operation Tiger” are intensifying. Speculation gained momentum when six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, including Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure, remained absent despite a party whip.Conversely, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje, and Sanjay Raut attended the party’s parliamentary meeting.
Uddhav Thackeray willing to step down
Party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said he was willing to step down as president if workers no longer had faith in his leadership, as he sought to rally supporters amid a fresh rebellion within the party.
Addressing the party’s 60th foundation day event in Mumbai, he said he was prepared to relinquish the top post if party members felt he had failed them.
“I am ready to quit the party chief’s post if you don’t have trust and faith in me,” he told supporters.
