Six Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MPs Speculated to Defect, Threatening Uddhav Thackeray’s Party

A fresh political crisis has emerged within the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray, with speculation mounting over the potential defection of six of the party’s nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs). The development has raised serious questions about the future of the political party and marks the latest chapter in the Shiv Sena's long history of internal rebellions.

The speculation, which came to light on June 22, 2026, suggests that a significant portion of the party's parliamentary representatives could be planning to defect. Out of the nine Lok Sabha MPs currently aligned with Uddhav Thackeray, six are rumored to be considering a departure. If these defections materialize, it would leave the party with only three of its nine MPs, representing a major blow to Thackeray's leadership and the party's standing.

This potential crisis is being described as another chapter in the Shiv Sena's long and turbulent history of internal rebellions. The party has frequently grappled with internal divisions, leadership challenges, and defections over the years. This latest round of speculation threatens to further destabilize the faction led by Thackeray, who has been fighting to maintain his grip on the party's legacy and political influence.

The situation has drawn close attention from political analysts and reporters, including Alok Deshpande of The Indian Express, who have pointed to the profound implications this could have on the party's survival. The potential loss of six out of its nine Lok Sabha MPs would not only weaken the party's voice but could also throw the future of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena into deep uncertainty.

As of June 22, 2026, the party faces a critical juncture as it attempts to manage the fallout of this speculation and prevent a formal split among its parliamentary members.