Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Speaker Approves Merger of 6 UBT MPs with Shinde’s Shiv Sena
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has approved the merger of six rebel MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
This decision strengthens the Shinde faction in the Lok Sabha, bringing their total number of MPs to 13.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction, now with only three MPs, had previously argued against the merger, stating that the Constitution does not recognize a split in a political party.
This development is seen as a significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp, which has been dealing with internal divisions since the party split.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin on July 20, 2026, and will continue until August 13, 2026.
Additionally, 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs have been allotted separate seating in the House, though their merger with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) has not yet been recognized.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six rebel MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The merger increases the Shinde faction's strength in the Lok Sabha to 13 MPs.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction now has only three MPs in the Lok Sabha.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction had previously argued against the merger, citing the Constitution.
The decision is seen as a significant political boost for the Shinde faction and a setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp.
- Who
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
- What
- Approved the merger of 6 rebel MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena
- When
- July 18, 2026
- Where
- Lok Sabha, India
- Why
- The six MPs had applied for recognition of their merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which was approved by the Speaker, consolidating the Shinde faction's position in Parliament.
- Date of Decision
- July 18, 2026
- Number of MPs Merged
- 6
- Shinde Faction's Strength in Lok Sabha
- 13
- UBT Faction's Strength in Lok Sabha
- 3
- Lok Sabha Speaker
- Om Birla
- Maharashtra Chief Minister
- Eknath Shinde
- UBT Parliamentary Party Leader
- Arvind Sawant
- Monsoon Session Start Date
- July 20, 2026
- Monsoon Session End Date
- August 13, 2026
- TMC Rebel MPs
- 20
Sources
Big Blow To Uddhav Thackeray: Lok Sabha Speaker Recognises Merger Of 6 Sena UBT MPs With Shinde Faction
Blow To Uddhav Faction: Speaker Om Birla Approves Merger Of 6 UBT MPs With Shinde’s Shiv Sena
Speaker Om Birla clears merger of 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with Shinde camp
Speaker Om Birla approves merger of 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with Shinde camp, tally rises to 13
Parliament Monsoon Session: Speaker Birla approves merger of rebel Uddhav-led Sena MPs with Shinde Sena
Om Birla Clears Merger of 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with Shinde's Shiv Sena, Grants Separate Seating to 20 TMC MPs
Big Blow To Uddhav Thackeray: Lok Sabha Speaker Approves Merger Of 6 Sena UBT MPs With Shiv Sena
LS Speaker approves merger of 6 Uddhav Sena MPs with Shinde Sena, separate seating for 20 TMC dissident MPs
Lok Sabha speaker approves merger of six Uddhav Sena MPs with Eknath Shinde faction
Shiv Sena MPs' merger with Eknath Shinde gets Speaker Om Birla's nod; rebel TMC MPs get separate seating - Telegraph India
Lok Sabha speaker approves merger of 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs in Shinde faction
Birla approves 6 Sena-UBT MPs' merger; rebel TMC MPs get separate seats
Lok Sabha Speaker recognises six UBT rebel MPs as Shiv Sena, leaving Uddhav Thackeray with three
LS Speaker Om Birla Clears Sena Merger, Separate Seats for TMC Rebels
Lok Sabha Speaker approves Shiv Sena merger, withholds nod to TMC rebels - Telegraph India
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla clears merger of 6 Sena (UBT) MPs with Eknath Shinde’s faction: Details
