Shiv Sena UBT Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to Six MPs Who Missed Delhi Meeting

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued a 24-hour show-cause notice and ultimatum to six of its Members of Parliament (MPs) who failed to attend a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi. The notice, issued on Saturday, warns of disciplinary action under the anti-defection law if the MPs fail to respond within the stipulated timeframe.

The six MPs served with the notice are Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Omraje Nimbalkar.

According to the party, their absence from the meeting held in Delhi on June 18 violated a party whip issued on June 16, which had directed all MPs to attend.

Lok Sabha Chief Whip Anil Desai signed the notice after only three of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs—Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje—attended the Delhi meeting.

The notice stated, "You remained absent from the meeting. You neither informed parliamentary party leader Arvind Sawant nor contacted me… regarding any reason for your absence."

The party warned that if no proper response or explanation is received within 24 hours, it will presume the MPs have voluntarily given up their Shiv Sena (UBT) membership. This would trigger consequences under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with anti-defection.

The development follows reports that the six absent MPs are planning to form a separate group in the Lok Sabha. They have reportedly initiated a process before Speaker Om Birla to join the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders are preparing to take legal action. Party leaders Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut met with Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, urging him not to entertain any moves by the rebel MPs without first hearing the party's side.