New Delhi: Speculations of a possible split within the Shiv Sena (UBT) have intensified after only three MPs attended the key meeting, now the party on Thursday issued show cause notices to six ‘rebel’ MPs who did not attend the parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi.
What is the reason of show-cause notices?
The move comes at a time when speculation is rife that some Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may leave the party and join the Shiv Sena.
While speaking to reporters after the meeting, party MP Anil Desai said that disciplinary action has been initiated against the MPs who did not attend the meeting and show cause notices have been issued to all the absent MPs asking them to explain the reason for their absence.
Desai said the meeting had just ended, and the show-cause notices was sent today. When asked what action would be taken against those who did not attend, he said the action would be this: a show-cause notice. Why didn’t you come? That will be asked. Notice will be given to everyone who didn’t come.”
Emphasizing that the party would seek answers from all absent MPs, Desai said, “Yes, notices will be sent to everyone.”
Regarding what specifically would be asked of the absent MPs, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said the questions would be something like: “You were informed, you were sent a message, you were WhatsApped, and you received it. Yet you did not say whether you were coming or not, so your absence will be viewed from that perspective.”
What did Sanjay Raut say?
Amid speculations of an internal split, senior Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the party will issue show-cause notices to six ‘rebel’ MPs who skipped a key parliamentary party meet.
The party leader alaso said that strict actions will be taken if they fail to respond within the 7-day deadline.
“Absent MPs have betrayed the party…We are going to issue showcause notice to them. They will get the notice by the evening. If they do not respond within 7 days of receiving the notice, next course of action will be taken…We will write to Speaker as well MPs.”
“Three Lok Sabha MPs attended the meeting – Arvind Sawant, Rajabhau Waje and Anil Desai. I am from Rajya Sabha. The MPs who did not attend it are found to be in violation of party whip. So, action has been initiated. They will be served showcause notice and response will be sought from them. We will look towards the cancellation of their membership…”
Who attended the meeting?
The meeting, held at the party’s Parliament office, was attended by senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and three Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, including Arvind Sawant, Rajabhau Waje and Anil Desai.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Sanjay Raut took a sharp stance on the attendance of party MPs, saying, “Those who will come are ours, those who will not come are dishonest and traitors.”
