Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, a member of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT), announced he will leave the Uddhav Thackeray faction to join Eknath Shinde’s camp [1].

This shift further destabilizes the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction within Maharashtra's complex political landscape. The move signals a continuing trend of legislators migrating toward the Shinde-led camp to secure government support and resources.

Ashtikar said his current position within the party was untenable [1]. He specifically cited a lack of development funds for his constituency as a primary motivator for the crossover [2]. The lawmaker said he was also hurt by recent remarks made against him by members of the party leadership [2].

Addressing the transition, Ashtikar said, "No point staying with UBT" [1]. He framed the move not as a change in ideology but as a shift between two versions of the same party. He said he "has just gone from one Shiv Sena to another" [1].

The departure comes amid growing differences between Ashtikar and the Uddhav Thackeray faction [2]. The friction between the two camps has intensified as both sides vie for the legacy, and legal recognition of the original Shiv Sena party name and symbol.

Ashtikar's decision to align with Shinde reflects a broader struggle for influence in Maharashtra. By moving to the camp currently aligned with the state's governing powers, Ashtikar aims to resolve the funding issues that he said hindered his ability to serve his constituents [2].

“"No point staying with UBT."”

The exit of Nagesh Patil Ashtikar underscores the precarious nature of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction's stability. By citing the lack of development funds, Ashtikar highlights the practical disadvantage faced by lawmakers who are not aligned with the ruling state administration, suggesting that resource allocation remains a powerful tool for political leverage in Maharashtra.