‘MPs Promised ₹50 Crore’: Sanjay Raut’s Explosive Claim Amid Shiv Sena (UBT) Rebellion Buzz

Fresh political turbulence has gripped Maharashtra after senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that Members of Parliament from his party are being lured with massive financial incentives to defect amid growing speculation of a rebellion within the party.

Speaking to reporters, Raut claimed that several MPs had been promised as much as ₹50 crore to switch allegiance. According to him, an advance amount of ₹15 crore was allegedly being offered as part of the deal, which he described as the "minimum support price" (MSP) for engineering defections.

The allegations surfaced against the backdrop of reports suggesting that a group of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could be planning a separate political move, reviving memories of the dramatic 2022 split that led to the rise of Eknath Shinde and a division within the original Shiv Sena.

‘Operation Tiger’ Fears Resurface

Raut linked the alleged poaching attempts to what he called "Operation Tiger," a purported effort to weaken the Shiv Sena (UBT). He claimed that around 21 MPs had received such offers and accused political rivals of trying to dismantle opposition parties through inducements rather than democratic means.

The Rajya Sabha MP also challenged any potential rebels to resign and seek a fresh mandate from voters if they intended to leave the party. According to Raut, elected representatives should return to the electorate rather than switching sides while retaining their positions.

Party Dismisses Split Speculation

Despite the controversy, Raut has sought to project confidence, insisting that all Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs remain united behind party chief Uddhav Thackeray. He recently dismissed reports of imminent defections, saying a "wrong picture" was being created regarding the party's internal situation.

However, speculation has continued after reports emerged that at least six Lok Sabha MPs from the party were considering meeting the Speaker and exploring the possibility of forming a separate group.

Maharashtra Politics on Edge

The latest episode has once again highlighted the volatile nature of Maharashtra politics, where party realignments and factional battles have repeatedly altered the political landscape over the past few years.

While no evidence has yet been publicly presented to substantiate Raut's allegations, the claims have added fuel to an already heated political environment. Rival parties have yet to formally respond to the accusations, but the controversy is expected to dominate political discussions in the state in the coming days.

As questions persist over the future of Shiv Sena (UBT), all eyes remain on whether the rebellion buzz translates into actual defections or remains another chapter in Maharashtra's ongoing political drama.