Six Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction in May 2026 [1].
This shift significantly reduces the legislative strength of Uddhav Thackeray's party while strengthening the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) numbers. The move creates a new power dynamic in Maharashtra as the party faces a substantial loss of its parliamentary representation.
The defection involves six MPs [1], which is a majority of the nine total Lok Sabha members originally belonging to the Shiv Sena (UBT) [1]. This realignment follows days of speculation regarding meetings between rebel members and the Shinde camp.
Supporters of Eknath Shinde described the move as an ideological victory for the legacy of Bal Thackeray. They said the realignment ensures the party remains true to its original roots.
Conversely, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has responded to the losses by alleging that incentives were offered to induce the defections. The party said the move was a strategic blow designed to destabilize their position before the next session of Parliament.
The political landscape in Maharashtra remains volatile as these members transition their loyalty. The shift comes at a critical juncture for the NDA, which seeks to solidify its majority and legislative control in the coming months.
“Six Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction”
The departure of six out of nine MPs represents a near-total collapse of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s influence in the Lok Sabha. By absorbing these members, Eknath Shinde not only strengthens the NDA's voting bloc but also delegitimizes Uddhav Thackeray's claim to be the sole inheritor of the party's ideological legacy. This realignment suggests a consolidation of power within the Shinde camp that may isolate the UBT faction ahead of future electoral cycles.
