Amid major political turmoil within the party and battling a rebellion by six of its Lok Sabha members, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has removed the son of rebel MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar from the party. Party leader Sanjay Raut pinned the reason for "anti-party activities".
The MP's son, Krushna Patil Ashtikar, was the party's candidate from Nanded local bodies constituency in the Maharashtra legislative council polls held last week.
"Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has sacked Krushna Nagesh Patil (Ashtikar) from the Shiv Sena (UBT) for anti-party activities," Raut said in a post on X.
Earlier, Krushna had vowed allegiance to Chief Uddhav Thackeray, stressing that there is no room for doubt regarding his stance.
"I am a Shiv Sainik of Uddhav Thackeray. There is no room for doubt when it comes to me. I am standing strongly as a candidate in the election fray," Krushna had said in a video statement.
Nagesh Patil Ashtikar is one of the six MPs who have rebelled against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). He had said that he had changed his mind (about joining the Shinde faction) after certain remarks were made against him and others.
The Hingoli MP was among the two dissident MPs to confirm that they are joining the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction since the rumours about 'Operation Tiger' started swirling around.
In a video clip posted on his social media handle, the MP also said he has not compromised on his ideology and "has just gone from one Shiv Sena to another".
