Sachin Ahir, a senior Maharashtra leader and UBT MLC, joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Tuesday [1].
This move represents a significant political blow to Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray as they navigate a fractured party landscape. The defection weakens the UBT faction's influence within the state's upper house during a critical period of legislative maneuvering.
Ahir filed his nomination for the position of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council immediately following his shift in allegiance [1]. This strategic move aligns him with the Shinde-led faction, which has continued to absorb members from the Thackeray camp.
Reports indicate the transition occurred on June 30, 2026 [1]. The shift is part of a broader trend of shifting loyalties within the Shiv Sena, which split into two competing factions. By securing a nomination for a leadership role in the council, Ahir solidifies his position within the new power structure of the Shinde administration.
The departure of a senior leader like Ahir further diminishes the numerical strength of the UBT in the Legislative Council. This loss of support complicates the party's ability to block legislation, or challenge the ruling coalition's agenda in the house.
While the UBT camp has not issued a formal response to the defection, the timing of the move suggests a coordinated effort to consolidate power before upcoming council votes. The shift underscores the ongoing instability within Maharashtra's political alliances, a cycle that has seen multiple high-profile exits from the Thackeray camp since the original party split.
“Sachin Ahir joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Tuesday.”
The defection of Sachin Ahir illustrates the continued erosion of Uddhav Thackeray's legislative base. By moving to Eknath Shinde's faction and seeking the Deputy Chairmanship, Ahir is not merely switching parties but actively participating in the institutionalization of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This further marginalizes the UBT's influence in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and strengthens the ruling coalition's grip on state governance.
