Speaker Approves Shiv Sena Rebel Merger As Opposition Boycotts All-Party Talks

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has officially approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) rebel MPs with the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This move increases the Shinde-led Shiv Sena tally to 13, while reducing the Uddhav Thackeray faction to three members. Additionally, the Speaker authorized separate seating for 20 rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs who intend to form the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The UBT camp has condemned this decision as illegal, with leader Ambadas Danve arguing the merger violates the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, and they have vowed to challenge the ruling in court.

The recognition of the breakaway groups has sparked significant hostility within the Opposition. During a recent all-party meeting in New Delhi, leaders from the Congress, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, and the Left staged a symbolic walkout to protest the inclusion of the unrecognised NCPI faction. Objections raised by figures like Mahua Moitra and Jairam Ramesh emphasize that 20 disqualification petitions are still pending against the rebel MPs. Meanwhile, inside the Trinamool Congress, internal tensions have peaked as Abhishek Banerjee challenged party rebels to return to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, offering his own resignation as a sign of his commitment to party unity.

These developments are critical for the ruling National Democratic Alliance, which now sees its Lok Sabha strength approaching 318 seats. This puts the coalition within reach of the two-thirds majority required for significant constitutional changes. As the Monsoon Session commences on July 20, 2026, the government may reintroduce the 131st Amendment Bill. The session is expected to be highly contentious, with debates likely to focus on the Delimitation Bill and women's reservation quotas while the Opposition continues its fight against the perceived misuse of anti-defection laws.