BJP leader RP Singh and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray exchanged criticisms following reports of lawmaker defections in Maharashtra.

This political clash signals a deepening instability within the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, potentially shifting the balance of power in the region as lawmakers align with the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

RP Singh said that Aaditya Thackeray has abandoned Hindutva and is now working against the nation [1]. This accusation comes amid a growing crisis for the Shiv Sena (UBT), where six MPs are reported to be considering joining the Shinde-led faction [2].

Thackeray responded by targeting the BJP, alleging that the party is attempting to engineer these defections to weaken his party's position. He said the BJP has a broader agenda regarding the country's legal framework.

"The main aim is to change the constitution," Thackeray said [1].

The internal turmoil within the party has drawn reactions from other senior leaders. Sanjay Raut said the lawmakers considering a switch are traitors to the Shiv Sena (UBT) cause [1].

The dispute centers on the ongoing fragmentation of the Shiv Sena, a party that has split into competing factions. The BJP has frequently been accused by opposition leaders of poaching members from rival parties to secure legislative majorities. The current tension reflects a broader struggle for the ideological and political identity of the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

“"The main aim is to change the constitution."”

The friction between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) highlights the volatility of coalition politics in Maharashtra. If six MPs [2] successfully migrate to the Shinde-led faction, it would not only diminish the legislative strength of the UBT wing but also validate the BJP's strategy of utilizing ideological pressure, specifically the appeal of Hindutva, to trigger defections and consolidate power.