UBT MPs meet Birla, question rebels’ Shinde Sena merger NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: In a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) said two-thirds of its MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, without the initiative of their original party, and urged him to uphold provisions of the Constitution’s 10th Schedule, commonly known as the anti-defection law. Birla is expected to make a decision before the monsoon session of Parliament, which normally begins in the second half of July, and is consulting legal experts and both sides. Two of the party’s remaining 3 LS MPs, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, met Birla, who had called them following their submission to him that they must be heard before he makes a decision on 6 of their colleagues joining the Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde. “We have confidence the Speaker as a custodian of Parliament will ensure justice is done,” Desai told reporters after the meeting. He said only a party can decide on merging with another party, and two-thirds of its MPs are needed to approve such a decision. The MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, he added. “All this can’t happen through a quick fix. The Constitution and democratic conventions must be upheld and followed in letter and spirit. The Speaker heard us. We told him we are the original party, and that Shiv Sena (UBT) and its chief Uddhav Thackeray haven’t decided to merge with any party, and there is no such plan in the future. We were told the Speaker has got a letter from the rebel MPs, but (he) promised to act in a just manner within the framework of the Constitution. We have given a letter from Uddhav Thackeray to Birla too,” Desai said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTMC MP Mahua Moitra Clarifies After Praise For Suvendu Adhikari Sparks Political Buzz In BengalBengaluru Metro Breakdown Triggers Commuter Chaos As Stranded Passengers Climb Lorries”They Saved Their Goods And Left Us To Die”: Survivor’s Explosive Claims Rock Aliganj Fire ProbeMumbai Local Train Horror: 22-Year-Old Stabbed To Death After Door Dispute, Accused On The RunKolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 3 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Ops UnderwayPM Modi Invited To Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral? Tehran Plans Massive Funeral For KhameneiLucknow Fire Horror: Demolition Order Revoked A Decade Ago, Illegal Building Claimed 15 LivesBJP Seeks Bhagwant Mann’s Arrest | Forensic Expert Alleges ₹10 Lakh Bribe To Fake Viral Video ReportIAF Set to Receive 1st Made-in-India C295 in September — Here’s What the Milestone Means’Papa, Save Me’: 10-Year-Old Abducted, Raped And Killed In Delhi; Chilling Details Emerge123PhotostoriesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From mimicking Charlie Chaplin, having no work for 7-8 years to working with Dilip Joshi, SRK-Salman; Sharad Sankla aka Abdul gets candid about lifeNot just Usha Vance: 5 women in power who turned grey hair into a symbol of confidenceWeekend K-drama releases: From ‘Notes from the Last Row’ to ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’UK heatwave intensifies: UKHSA approved tips to keep your home coolAngiography and Angioplasty are not the same: Here’s what every heart patient should knowWarren Buffett’s unusual love life: The billionaire who stayed married while living with another womanRinging in your ears after a day in the sun? Doctor explains the surprising heatwave-tinnitus connection10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by ancient goddesses and their powerful meanings5 Kapoor couples who are setting serious marriage goalsRice water vs rosemary oil vs onion juice: Which viral hair growth hack actually works?123Hot PicksPunjab police admit cardDevina GahlotDonald Trump avenueMumbai rainsCBSE 12th revaluationBihar school timingsSpanish proverbAfghan proverbPortuguese proverbTop TrendingDelhi Rape MurderUS-Iran WarITR filing 2025-26FIFA World Cup 2026England vs Ghana FIFA World Cup ResultICAI CA Inter May resultLucknow coaching fireGold rate todayWho was Ketan AgarwalMumbai rain
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: In a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) said two-thirds of its MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, without the initiative of their original party, and urged him to uphold provisions of the Constitution’s 10th Schedule, commonly known as the anti-defection law. Birla is expected to make a decision before the monsoon session of Parliament, which normally begins in the second half of July, and is consulting legal experts and both sides. Two of the party’s remaining 3 LS MPs, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, met Birla, who had called them following their submission to him that they must be heard before he makes a decision on 6 of their colleagues joining the Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde. “We have confidence the Speaker as a custodian of Parliament will ensure justice is done,” Desai told reporters after the meeting. He said only a party can decide on merging with another party, and two-thirds of its MPs are needed to approve such a decision. The MPs cannot join or merge with another party on their own, he added. “All this can’t happen through a quick fix. The Constitution and democratic conventions must be upheld and followed in letter and spirit. The Speaker heard us. We told him we are the original party, and that Shiv Sena (UBT) and its chief Uddhav Thackeray haven’t decided to merge with any party, and there is no such plan in the future. We were told the Speaker has got a letter from the rebel MPs, but (he) promised to act in a just manner within the framework of the Constitution. We have given a letter from Uddhav Thackeray to Birla too,” Desai said.
