Aaditya Thackeray Calls Six Rebel Lok Sabha MPs Cowards and Sellouts

MUMBAI — Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday, June 22, 2026, launched a sharp attack on six Lok Sabha MPs who allegedly broke ranks with the party.

Speaking during the Maharashtra assembly monsoon session in Mumbai, Thackeray described the rebel lawmakers as "cowards" and "sellouts." He accused them of betraying the mandate given to them by the voters.

The public criticism highlights the ongoing political tensions and deep-seated divisions within the Shiv Sena party. These internal conflicts have intensified following the alleged defection of its parliamentary representatives.

The dispute is tied to broader friction between competing factions. Previously, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction dismissed claims that the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs would be joining their political party. Those claims had surfaced in connection with a foundation day event.

Thackeray’s strong language of "cowards and sellouts" highlights the deep rift that continues to divide the party's leadership and its representatives. The MLA accused the rebel MPs of completely abandoning the trust and the explicit mandate of the electorate that put them in office.

The remarks were made public on Monday afternoon, June 22, 2026. The development has quickly become a focal point of discussion regarding the stability of the party's representation in the Lok Sabha.

The ongoing political divisions within the Shiv Sena party have created a highly polarized environment, with the alleged defection of its MPs serving as a major point of contention. Thackeray's direct confrontation during the legislative session signals that the UBT faction intends to hold those who break ranks publicly accountable.