Stung by a major rebellion in its parliamentary unit, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to launch an outreach programme across Maharashtra to reconnect with party workers. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is facing intense internal turmoil after six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs allegedly switched allegiance to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Thackeray will begin the outreach programme on June 27 with a visit to Yavatmal, followed by stops in Washim in Vidarbha and Hingoli in the Marathwada region. He will then visit Parbhani and Dharashiv on June 28, before concluding the first phase in Shirdi on June 29.
The MPs reportedly aligned with the Shinde faction include Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar (Osmanabad). Several of them skipped a Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting on Thursday, signalling their intent to switch sides.
Ashtikar and Nimbalkar have already announced their defection, while others are expected to make a formal declaration soon.
Thackeray recently visited the party’s offices in Bhandup West and Ghatkopar in Mumbai, where he accused the rebel MPs of “selling themselves.”
“Despite betrayal and MPs being sold, Shiv Sainiks are still standing firm. I want to apologise for asking you to vote for traitors. I campaigned in all Lok Sabha constituencies and gave him (Sanjay Dina Patil) a ticket. He increased his price after winning and then sold himself. This trend is dangerous,” he said.
The outreach campaign comes amid concerns within the Thackeray camp over further defections, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders wary of a possible split in its legislative ranks. Eknath Shinde has earlier indicated that more leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray faction could switch sides.
Thackeray has also called a meeting of party MLAs and MLCs on Monday in an attempt to keep its legislative flock intact.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh on Monday questioned the need for inducting Opposition legislators into Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, which already enjoys a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.
The Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the NCP faction led by Sunetra Pawar—currently holds 237 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.
Deshmukh said bringing in additional MLAs could weaken those already within the alliance. “I welcome their move as we need a stronger Centre to pass several important bills. But do we really need MLAs from the Opposition in Maharashtra?” he asked.
The Thackeray-led faction fears a scenario similar to twin revolts seen in the Trinamool Congress and is working to prevent any further split in its legislative wing.
Amid the turmoil, Thackeray reiterated that he leads the “original and only Shiv Sena”, pushing back against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remark that the legitimate Shiv Sena is now led by Shinde.
