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Six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Lok Sabha MPs formally joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
After Six UBT MPs Defect, Shinde Sena Sets Sights on BMC and MLAs
A day after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Maharashtra minister Uday Samant on Tuesday hinted at further defections from the Uddhav Thackeray camp, saying more political “explosions” were on the way.
Samant also hinted that the Shinde faction’s next focus would be the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators.
Speaking to reporters, Samant said the latest political developments were only the beginning. “The political explosion has already happened twice today, but many more explosions are yet to come. These are not the kind of blasts meant to trouble anyone or defame anyone. Those who accept the leadership of Eknath Shinde Saheb come into Shiv Sena under his leadership and accept his leadership,” he said.
He further suggested that the party would now turn its attention towards other political targets.
“Now the (next mission) is the BMC and the MLAs. We will inform you about it step by step, in due course of time,” Samant said.
Silence on absent UBT legislators
Samant was also asked about three Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs and one MLC who skipped an emergency meeting called by party president Uddhav Thackeray.
Responding cautiously, he said, “First, I will look at the names of who attended and who did not attend. It would be appropriate to comment on that later.”
His remarks came amid growing speculation over possible unrest within the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit following the latest round of defections.
Six MPs cross over to Shinde camp
On Monday, six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Lok Sabha MPs formally joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
The MPs who switched sides were Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar.
The move marked a major setback for the Uddhav Thackeray faction and further strengthened the Shinde camp.
Split that reshaped Shiv Sena
The political divide within the Shiv Sena began in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde walked away with a large number of MLAs, triggering a split in the party. The dispute later reached the Election Commission, which eventually recognised the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena.
Before the latest defections, Shiv Sena (UBT) had nine members in the Lok Sabha.
Signs of discontent had already emerged last week when only three MPs attended a parliamentary party meeting called by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
The party later initiated disciplinary proceedings against the six MPs who subsequently joined the Shinde camp.
With the Lok Sabha defections now complete, Samant’s remarks suggest that the political battle between the two Sena factions may soon shift towards the BMC and the Maharashtra legislature.
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