In Another Blow to Shiv Sena (UBT), MLC Joins Shinde Faction, Files Nomination For Deputy Chairman Election

Earlier this month, six MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) had joined Shinde’s party.

The Wire Staff

Earlier this month, six MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) had joined Shinde’s party.

in another blow to shiv sena ubt mlc joins shinde faction files nomination for deputy chairman election

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Shiv Sena leader Sachin Ahir during a press conference after Ahir filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, following his induction into the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, in Mumbai, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Photo: PTI /Kunal Patil

New Delhi: In another setback for the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), former MLA from Worli and present member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) Sachin Ahir on Tuesday (June 30) joined the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Ahir, who was believed to be a close confidante of Aaditya Thackeray, also filed his nomination for the post of deputy chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, reported Hindustan Times.

Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde confirmed the development and said that Ahir had formally joined the Shiv Sena and thereafter he was handed the nomination form for the deputy chairman's election.

"Sachin Ahir is a senior MLC and he has raised his voice for the people of Mumbai. I am happy that such an experienced leader is coming with the Shiv Sena. We have checked all the legal side, and then this decision was taken," said state minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said that MLC Jagannath Abhyankar is the nominee of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the deputy chairman’s election.

"We have received many shocks, but the party was never finished. This shock is not a big one for Shiv Sena (UBT)," Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Raut told reporters in Vidhan Bhavan, downplaying the development.

Earlier this month, six MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) had joined Shinde’s party. The latest exodus comes from a familiar script of defections. In June 2022, Shinde, then a senior Shiv Sena leader, rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.

Shinde had left the party along with several MLAs and this exodus was widely seen as a move engineered with support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The then- MVA government consisting of the united Shiv Sena, united Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress had collapsed overnight.

This article went live on June thirtieth, two thousand twenty six, at ten minutes past four in the afternoon.

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