Mumbai

Amid growing speculation about a possible split within the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), senior party leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday challenged any dissatisfied MPs to resign from their positions before switching political loyalties.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Raut warned that party workers and the people of Maharashtra would not remain silent if the organisation faced another rebellion similar to the one witnessed in 2022, which led to a major split in the Shiv Sena.

Notably, only three of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs — Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje — were present at the briefing alongside Raut.

Sending a direct message to those allegedly considering defection, Raut said that the party's MPs had secured electoral victories because of the efforts of party chief Uddhav Thackeray and thousands of grassroots workers.

“If anyone wants to change sides, they should first resign,” he asserted.

Despite the speculation, Raut maintained that the party had not received any official communication from MPs indicating plans to leave the organisation.

He further alleged that attempts were being made to lure Maharashtra MPs with financial inducements, claiming that legislators were being offered as much as ₹15 crore to switch camps.

Raut also expressed concern over recent political developments involving opposition parties, arguing that repeated splits in regional formations weaken democratic politics.

“There is little point in contesting elections if parties such as the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are repeatedly broken apart,” he said.

READ MORE: Fatima Husna proudly guides tourists through Hyderabad's history

The remarks come at a time when rumours of discontent within the party have intensified, though no formal announcement of a rebellion has yet been made.