Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demands the immediate disqualification of six MPs who have defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The Hindu reports that Thackeray raises the issue through a formal representation to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, while Times of India adds that he links the defections to a broader political conspiracy, which he calls “Operation Devendra.”
Thackeray urges the Speaker to uphold the rule of law and says the defectors should be removed under anti-defection rules. He argues that voters rejected the “Modi wave” rather than supporting the MPs who left the Shiv Sena (UBT). According to Times of India, he also alleges that the BJP undermines its own leaders.
The Hindu further notes that Thackeray points to procedural and timeline-related developments connected to hearings before the Speaker, including that Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant cut short an official trip to Kargil after the hearing date was advanced. Thackeray is also described as touring the defecting MPs’ constituencies to make his case.
