Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, one of the rebel MPs of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), admitted on Sunday (June 21) that while he and fellow members had “not gone anywhere” until Thursday (June 18), they chose to switch sides after certain remarks were directed at them. His comments were widely seen as targeting Sanjay Raut, the Sena (UBT) leader who has condemned the rebels as “traitors, dishonest and frauds”.
Also read: At 60, Shiv Sena battles its biggest survival crisis; will the tiger roar again?
The parliamentarian, who has represented Maharashtra’s Hingoli constituency since 2024, spoke publicly for the first time since speculation around “Operation Tiger” gathered pace. He confirmed that he has crossed over to the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Maha Yuti ruling coalition in the western state.
“Operation Tiger” has stormed the headlines in Maharashtra and national politics over an alleged attempt to poach a majority of the Sena (UBT) MPs. The tiger was the symbol and mascot of the undivided Sena, which was drawn by its founder, the late Bal Thackeray.
The Sena (UBT) has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha, of whom six are in the rebel camp. The dissidents can escape the anti-defection law if at least six of them defect.
Lack of funds, inconvenience in opposition
However, throwing more light on shifting base, Ashtikar said in some video clips posted on social media that he has not compromised his ideology and just went “from one Shiv Sena to another”. Ashtikar said challenges such as a lack of development funds and the disadvantage of being in the opposition, which makes it difficult to carry out party activists’ work, were among the key factors that led to his defection.
Nanded, Maharashtra: Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar says, “I have not gone anywhere. I was in Shiv Sena and I am still in Shiv Sena. I have never left my ideology and I will not leave it in the future either. I was in Shiv Sena and I will remain in Shiv Sena.… pic.twitter.com/IJDJODfeDu
— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026
“The work of party workers is not being done as we are not on the side of power. People elected us with a lot of expectation, and getting their work done is my job. But I was not getting any development funds. The Rs 5 crore MPLAD fund is very limited. Considering these factors, I have taken this decision,” Ashtikar claimed.
He also alleged that despite his best efforts in the last two years, he failed to get funds for his Lok Sabha constituency.
Also read: How a 20-year-old case’s verdict could upset Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs’ defection arithmetic
“We need funds, and I have taken this step. I will keep working for the people, and I will complete the responsibility assigned to me by the people,” he added.
“I, and some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which made us believe that there is no point in staying here (Sena-UBT),” the MP said.
Rebel MP says he is not upset with Uddhav or Raut
The leader, who backed party supremo Uddhav Thackeray when the undivided Sena imploded in 2022, resulting in its split, however, said he was not upset with either Uddhav or Raut.
He said some people might be unhappy with him for taking such a decision, but hoped that they would eventually understand why he made such a move.
“I was left with no option,” he added.
‘Unparliamentary language’ pushed them to change stance
Ashtikar, nevertheless, expressed his displeasure indirectly against Raut, saying that while people were free to express their anger, they should also mind their language. “I will not push anyone to come with me. But I will stand with them,” he added.
According to Ashtikar, they were hurt by “unparliamentary language” used against them.
“We had not even confirmed moving from UBT, but such language was used against us. We made up our mind after that,” he said in the video, confirming the merger.
Also read: Sena muddle: Uddhav says ready to quit; Shinde says there is more to come
Raut, one of the most vocal critics of the rebels, had issued a threat against them by uttering “Operation Tudwa” or “Operation Crush” in response to “Operation Tiger”.
Ashtikar said Raut is also aware of the “after-effects”.
“Though he is a fatherly figure and can reprimand, he should understand that everyone has the capacity to reply in kind. Such incidents can take place once in a while. Even he (Raut) knows the after-effects,” he added.
Besides Ashtikar, Sena(UBT) MPs Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar skipped the party’s parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on June 17, fueling speculation that their crossover to Eknath’s Sena is imminent.
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