Mumbai/New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut triggered a fresh political controversy on Wednesday after launching a blistering attack on party MPs allegedly considering a switch to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.

The senior leader not only accused the suspected rebels of betrayal but also used abusive language during a press conference, asking media outlets not to censor his remarks.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi alongside Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, Raut reacted strongly to reports suggesting that some Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians were in touch with the Shinde camp.

Although he did not name any MP, he described the alleged dissidents as ‘dishonest’ and claimed that betrayal was part of their political character.

The remarks came amid mounting speculation that a section of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s parliamentary wing could break away, reviving memories of the dramatic split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022 that eventually brought Eknath Shinde to power in Maharashtra.

Raut alleges cash-for-defection operation

Raut claimed that efforts were underway to lure MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party through financial inducements.

He alleged that certain parliamentarians had been offered enormous sums of money to switch loyalties.

According to Raut, he received information from a source late on Tuesday night that some MPs were being approached with offers running into crores of rupees.

He further alleged that advance payments had already been made and that chartered flights were being arranged for those willing to defect.

The Rajya Sabha member said such tactics undermined the democratic process and questioned the purpose of elections if elected representatives could be persuaded to change sides through money power.

He stressed that all MPs elected on the party’s ticket owed their victory to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and the support of party workers.

Raut challenged any leader wishing to leave the party to first resign from Parliament and seek a fresh mandate from voters.

He maintained that those elected under the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner had no moral right to abandon the mandate given to them by the electorate.

The party leader also revealed that Shiv Sena (UBT) had initiated legal measures to deal with any potential rebellion.

A whip has been issued ahead of the party’s parliamentary meeting scheduled for Thursday, while communications have been sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging strict adherence to constitutional provisions in the event of any split-related developments.

Notably, of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs, only Sawant, Desai and Rajabhau Waje were present during the press conference, adding fuel to ongoing speculation.

Raut warned that party workers across Maharashtra would not remain silent if there was another attempt to weaken the organisation.

He asserted that any effort to engineer a split through financial incentives would be challenged politically and legally.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai defended Raut’s comments, saying they were made in an emotional moment and were not directed at any specific individual.

Desai said that after spending decades in public life, leaders can sometimes express frustration strongly when confronted with reports of betrayal.

As rumours continue to swirl, no Shiv Sena (UBT) MP has publicly confirmed plans to defect, and the party leadership maintains that it has not received any official communication regarding a split.