Lok Sabha approves merger of 6 rebel Shiv Sena MPs into Shinde faction, blow to Uddhav
Synopsis
The Lok Sabha Secretariat's approval of the merger of 6 rebel Shiv Sena MPs into the Shinde faction is more than a procedural ruling — it formally shifts the balance of parliamentary power in the ongoing Shiv Sena split saga. With disqualification now off the table and Shinde's Lok Sabha numbers strengthened, the Thackeray camp faces its sharpest institutional setback yet, even as a legal counteroffensive looms.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Secretariat officially approved the merger of 6 rebel Shiv Sena MPs into the Shinde faction on 18 July .
The six MPs are Omraje Nimbalkar , Sanjay Dina Patil , Sanjay Deshmukh , Sanjay Jadhav , Bhausaheb Wakchaure , and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar .
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formally cleared the merger, ending the disqualification threat over the rebel MPs.
The Thackeray faction had written to the Speaker opposing the merger, but its objections were overruled.
Thackeray camp leader Ambadas Danve vowed to pursue legal action against the decision.
The development comes days before the monsoon session of Parliament opens on 20 July .
The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Saturday, 18 July officially approved the merger of six rebel Shiv Sena MPs — formerly aligned with Uddhav Thackeray — into the faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, dealing a significant political blow to the Thackeray camp ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament beginning 20 July. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formally cleared the merger, ending the disqualification threat that had loomed over the six MPs since their rebellion.
The Six MPs and Their Political Journey
The rebel MPs — Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar — had distanced themselves from the Thackeray faction, formed a separate group, and submitted a formal letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker seeking recognition under the Shinde camp. Following the Secretariat's official circular confirming the merger, all six now function as MPs of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, boosting its numerical strength in the lower house.
What the Shinde Camp Said
Reacting to the development, Eknath Shinde said the decision was taken in the interest of development work in constituencies. He added that the six MPs joined his faction to advance their respective constituencies, and that substantial development funds would be allocated to them. The merger consolidates Shinde's hold over the Shiv Sena brand in Parliament, complementing the Maharashtra government's position.
Thackeray Faction's Objections Overruled
The Thackeray group had written to the Speaker asserting that their party had taken no decision to merge with any other entity and remained an independent party. They had requested a hearing before any final decision was made. The Thackeray camp had also initiated legal proceedings, consistently maintaining that the rebel MPs would lose their Lok Sabha membership. Despite these efforts, the Secretariat's ruling came as a major setback.
Legal Battle Ahead
Thackeray faction leader Ambadas Danve, former Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, said the group would not let the matter rest and would pursue the upcoming legal battle. All eyes in Maharashtra are now on the Thackeray faction's next move, including whether they challenge the Speaker's decision before the Supreme Court — a route taken in the original Shiv Sena split case. Notably, the original split dispute remains pending before the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench, making this latest development a significant new layer in an already complex legal and political battle.
Point of View
Which banked on disqualification proceedings to reverse the rebellion, has now hit a structural wall. What is often missed in coverage is that this decision arrives while the original split case is still before the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench; the two tracks — parliamentary and judicial — are now running in opposite directions. If the Thackeray faction moves the Supreme Court again, it will be asking the judiciary to undo what the Speaker has sanctioned, a politically and legally steep climb.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Lok Sabha Secretariat approve on 18 July?
The Lok Sabha Secretariat approved the merger of six rebel Shiv Sena MPs, formerly aligned with Uddhav Thackeray, into the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formally cleared the merger, and an official circular was issued confirming it.
Who are the six rebel Shiv Sena MPs whose merger was approved?
The six MPs are Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar. They had broken away from the Thackeray faction, formed a separate group, and sought formal recognition under the Shinde camp.
What happens to the disqualification threat against the rebel MPs?
With the Lok Sabha Speaker's approval of the merger, the disqualification threat that had loomed over the six MPs has ended. They are now officially recognised as MPs of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
How did the Thackeray faction respond to the merger approval?
The Thackeray faction had written to the Speaker asserting it had not authorised any merger and had requested a hearing before any ruling. Despite these objections, the merger was approved. Faction leader Ambadas Danve said the group would not let the matter rest and would fight the legal battle ahead.
Why does this development matter for Maharashtra politics?
The merger strengthens Shinde's Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha and marks a significant institutional setback for the Thackeray camp, which had staked its revival strategy on disqualification proceedings. The decision arrives just before the monsoon session of Parliament and adds a new dimension to the Shiv Sena split case still pending before the Supreme Court.
