Uddhav Thackeray projected confidence amid a fresh party rebellion, assuring Shiv Sainiks are "fired up" despite six Lok Sabha MPs defecting. He apologized to voters for electing lawmakers who switched sides.

Thackeray dismissed merger talks with Congress and defended his leadership, highlighting electoral wins. He warned of a threat to democracy with a move towards a "one party, no election" system.

This latest crisis follows the 2022 split.