Another jolt for Shiv Sena UBT: Sachin Ahir switches sides, runs for key council post against Thackeray’s candidate
Sachin Ahir's defection to the Eknath Shinde faction deals another blow to Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), as the MLC files his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council
In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has experienced another setback as MLC Sachin Ahir, a close associate of Uddhav Thackeray and a former aspirant for the Worli seat for Aditya Thackeray, defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Ahir has filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, challenging the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) official candidate, J.M. Abhyankar, a decision that has drawn strong criticism from Thackeray faction leaders, including Arvind Sawant who labeled it a betrayal and potentially unlawful under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, while Sunil Raut downplayed its impact. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat confirmed that the Mahayuti alliance proposed Ahir's name, highlighting his political experience and support base in Worli, and framing his move as a return to the original Shiv Sena fold, a decision Shirsat stated was made in the party's interest by Eknath Shinde. The election for the Deputy Chairman post is scheduled for Wednesday.
In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has experienced another setback as MLC Sachin Ahir, a close associate of Uddhav Thackeray and a former aspirant for the Worli seat for Aditya Thackeray, defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Ahir has filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, challenging the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) official candidate, J.M. Abhyankar, a decision that has drawn strong criticism from Thackeray faction leaders, including Arvind Sawant who labeled it a betrayal and potentially unlawful under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, while Sunil Raut downplayed its impact. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat confirmed that the Mahayuti alliance proposed Ahir's name, highlighting his political experience and support base in Worli, and framing his move as a return to the original Shiv Sena fold, a decision Shirsat stated was made in the party's interest by Eknath Shinde. The election for the Deputy Chairman post is scheduled for Wednesday.
In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has experienced another setback as MLC Sachin Ahir, a close associate of Uddhav Thackeray and a former aspirant for the Worli seat for Aditya Thackeray, defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Ahir has filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, challenging the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) official candidate, J.M. Abhyankar, a decision that has drawn strong criticism from Thackeray faction leaders, including Arvind Sawant who labeled it a betrayal and potentially unlawful under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, while Sunil Raut downplayed its impact. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat confirmed that the Mahayuti alliance proposed Ahir's name, highlighting his political experience and support base in Worli, and framing his move as a return to the original Shiv Sena fold, a decision Shirsat stated was made in the party's interest by Eknath Shinde. The election for the Deputy Chairman post is scheduled for Wednesday.
In another setback for Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), an MLC from the party jumped ship to the Eknath Shinde-led faction on Tuesday. Sachin Ahir, considered a close aide to Uddhav Thackeray, also filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, against Maha Vikas Aghadi’s official candidate J.M. Abhyankar.
The MVA, an alliance of Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, had declared legislative council member and academician Abhyankar as its official candidate for the elections. However, to their shock, Ahir filed his nominations on behalf of the Shinde faction. This came as a surprise as it was expected that the Shinde faction might field Dr Neelam as its candidate.
Interestingly, Ahir is known to be close to the Thackeray family and had even given up his Worli seat for Aditya Thackeray.
Thackeray faction MLA Sunil Raut downplayed Ahir’s move, stating that he was not a mass leader and his switch was not a big shock for the party, which had endured many such setbacks. However, Thackeray’s close aide and South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant said Ahir’s move was not a legally permissible one. “This is not within the framework of the law. According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of the country, how can a single person leave a party and join another party? He should be disqualified,” Sawant told ABP Majha.
He said Ahir's term in the Legislative Council was about to end. “He is going there for the MLA post. He has also snatched the post of Deputy Speaker. This is a kind of bargaining. This is not rebellion but straight-up betrayal. The market has literally been set up," he added.
The election for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held on Wednesday. The nomination process will be completed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat confirmed that the Mahayuti alliance proposed Ahir's name for the post. Speaking to reporters after Ahir filed his nomination, Shirsat said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde, Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe and other leaders were present during the filing of the nomination.
"Everyone was curious about whose form would be filled out today. But Eknath Shinde Saheb once again conducted an operation on UBT, and for the post of Deputy Chairman, we have filed the application of Sachin Ahir," Shirsat said.
He also praised Ahir, stating he had a long political career and enjoyed strong support in Mumbai 's Worli constituency. "Sachin Ahir is a core Shiv Sainik. He has not changed parties but has entered Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). He has been a Minister of State and has a hold in the Worli area,” he said, adding that Thackeray suppressed even someone like him.
Shirsat claimed the decision reflected the sentiments of Shiv Sena workers and asserted that Eknath Shinde had the authority to take decisions regarding candidates in the party's interest.