Mumbai: The political landscape in Maharashtra witnessed another significant shift on Tuesday as Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Soon after switching sides, Ahir filed his nomination as the party’s candidate for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, marking another setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
Deputy Chairman Nomination Signals New Role
Ahir’s immediate nomination for the Deputy Chairman’s post indicates the confidence the Shinde camp has placed in the senior leader. His induction is being viewed as another strategic gain for the ruling Shiv Sena faction, which has consistently expanded its strength by attracting leaders from rival parties.
‘Operation Tiger’ Continues to Gather Momentum
The latest development comes only days after six Lok Sabha MPs elected on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets joined the Shinde-led party. The MPs—Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure—had skipped a key parliamentary party meeting before formally announcing their decision.
Welcoming the leaders, Eknath Shinde described the defections as proof of the success of his political outreach, popularly referred to as “Operation Tiger.” He said the campaign had achieved its objective of bringing experienced grassroots leaders into his party.
Changing Political Equations in Maharashtra
The back-to-back defections have weakened Shiv Sena (UBT), which had secured nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra during the 2024 general elections. With six MPs now aligned with the Shinde faction and Ahir’s latest move, the balance within the Sena has shifted further.
The growing support is also expected to strengthen Shinde’s position within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, as political equations in Maharashtra continue to evolve.
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