Maharashtra’s Political Upheaval: Six UBT MPs Poised to Defect to Shinde Camp Amid Foundation Day Chaos

Maharashtra’s Political Upheaval: Six UBT MPs Poised to Defect to Shinde Camp Amid Foundation Day Chaos

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has signaled a major political shift, hinting that six dissident Lok Sabha MPs from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction are prepared to cross over to the ruling alliance. The development has triggered an acute leadership crisis for Uddhav Thackeray.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday indicated that more leaders from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) could switch sides, amid buzz around six dissident MPs. Calling the reported move “just a trailer”, he suggested that further defections could follow.

Speaking at the Shiv Sena’s 60th foundation day event in Mumbai, Shinde used much of his speech to target Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, question his leadership and defend his own camp’s position within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Referring to the speculation around the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, Shinde said, “This is just a trailer and the movie is yet to come. Just see what happens ahead.” His remarks came against the backdrop of “Operation Tiger”, an alleged move by the Shiv Sena led by him to bring Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray camp into his fold.

None of the six dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs — Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Patil Ashitkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchowre — were present at the rally amid the buzz that they could join the ruling Shiv Sena headed by Shinde.

Without naming Thackeray, Shinde said introspection was needed on why people were abandoning him. He added that a wolf does not become a tiger by covering itself with a tiger’s hide. “These wolves threatened me when I led the revolt in 2022,” he said. He also said one cannot become the heir of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray merely by claiming blood ties, and added that the party was not a piece of land. According to Shinde, the politics of those who forgot the saffron flag had ceased to exist, while those who had kept Bal Thackeray’s ideals alive were being badmouthed.

Continuing his attack, Shinde said a general must not sit at home and has to be on the front and fight, while describing himself as someone who leads from the front. In an apparent swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, he said, “some dogs bark but a tiger roars and hunts”. Referring to attacks on the rebel MPs, Shinde said, “You curse them in the morning and then talk good about them in the evening.” Raut had warned that his party would launch “Operation Tudwa” against the rebel MPs.

Shinde said the BJP-led Mahayuti would win all 17 seats in the Legislative Council polls, for which voting took place on Thursday and counting is due on June 22, 2026. Of these, six seats have already been won unopposed by the ruling coalition of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. He also said some people were trying to create a divide between him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP, but maintained that the bonding among the three Mahayuti parties was good.

He also attacked the opposition INDIA bloc and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying Gandhi remained the captain despite losing elections several times. Shinde said parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, and DMK had suffered electoral losses whenever they aligned with the Congress.

At the rally, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam acknowledged the role of party MP and Shinde’s son Shrikant in “Operation Tiger”. Kadam said that if Shinde took two steps, Shrikant took four to ensure the operation succeeded. He also proposed that Shrikant should head the Yuva Sena, the party’s youth wing.

Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 12 years in office and becoming the country’s longest-serving elected prime minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru. He also praised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for “eradicating” Naxalism and for abrogating the special provisions of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

Ahead of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra, Shinde urged party workers to closely monitor the process and appoint Booth-Level Agents. He also said the Yuva Sena should remain active both on the ground and on social media. Overall, Shinde used the event to signal possible defections from Shiv Sena (UBT), attack his rivals and rally workers behind the Mahayuti and the party’s organisational work.

‘I Am Ready to Quit Party Chief’s Post’

The political crisis deepens as “I Apologize to Electors”: Uddhav Thackeray After Majority of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Defect to Eknath Shinde Camp. Confronting the sudden rebellion of his core parliamentary group, Thackeray extended an emotional declaration to his remaining inner circle.

He stated unreservedly that he would step down from the helm of the organization if his working style or leadership no longer commanded their absolute allegiance. This defensive posture highlights the structural panic within the UBT faction as Why Are 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Leaving Uddhav Thackeray Camp? becomes the central question defining state politics.

Thackeray specified that his departure would be conditional on ensuring the party’s remaining infrastructure is protected from political adversaries. He explicitly apologized to the regional electorate who voted for his candidates during the 2024 general elections, conveying deep remorse over the unexpected departure of elected representatives who chose to jump ship.

History of the Shiv Sena Split

The current crisis marks the latest chapter in a bitter factional war that originated in 2022. During that foundational shift, Eknath Shinde orchestrated a massive internal rebellion, drawing 40 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) away from the unified party. This structural collapse successfully toppled the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition government, which had been led by Thackeray as Chief Minister.

Following the collapse, the Election Commission of India legally recognized Shinde’s faction as the legitimate administrative heir to the party organization. The regulatory body formally awarded Shinde’s group the definitive “bow and arrow” election symbol. This administrative defeat forced Thackeray to construct an entirely new political identity, re-establishing his voter base under the alternative “Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)” banner.

The ongoing war over parliamentary seats indicates that the fight for the authentic legacy of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray remains highly contested and unresolved in Maharashtra politics.

FAQs

Which Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs are reportedly defecting to Eknath Shinde’s faction?

The six dissident Members of Parliament linked to the defection are Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Patil Ashitkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchowre.

What is Operation Tiger in Maharashtra politics?

Operation Tiger is the strategic political initiative orchestrated by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction to induce Lok Sabha Members of Parliament from the rival Uddhav Thackeray camp to switch their allegiances to the ruling alliance.

How did Uddhav Thackeray respond to the defection of his MPs?

Uddhav Thackeray offered to resign from his position as party chief if his supporters no longer trusted his leadership. He also issued an official apology to the voters who elected these representatives during the 2024 general elections.

When will the Maharashtra Legislative Council election results be announced?

The official counting of votes for the 17 seats in the Legislative Council polls is scheduled to take place on June 22, 2026. The ruling Mahayuti coalition has already won 6 of these seats unopposed.