6 Rebel Uddhav Sena MPs Formally Cross Over To Eknath Shinde Camp, Put All Speculation To Rest

Mumbai: In a major political blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs have formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, ending weeks of speculation and triggering a fresh split in the party, according to reports.

The development, confirmed on Monday afternoon, strengthens Shinde’s parliamentary position significantly. It boosts the Shinde faction’s Lok Sabha strength from seven to 13 MPs, while leaving Uddhav Thackeray’s group with just three. Sources indicate the rebels submitted a merger letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker to comply with anti-defection law requirements, securing the necessary two-thirds support.

The six MPs are:

--Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli)
--Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv)
--Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East)
--Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal)
--Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani)
--Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi)

Two of them, Ashtikar and Nimbalkar, publicly announced their decision earlier, citing stalled development funds for their constituencies and caustic remarks from UBT leaders, particularly Sanjay Raut. Ashtikar highlighted the limited MPLADS funds and alleged difficulties in delivering for his voters. 

Eknath Shinde, who addressed a press conference, said that six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MPs had joined the Shiv Sena and noted that it was a continuation of the 2022 political split that was aimed at "saving the original Shiv Sena."

He said the MPs have joined the party for the development of their constituencies rather than for any personal gain.

"Today we welcome all these six kattar Shivsainik MPs into the original Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. In 2022, we carried out a revolt when 40 MLAs joined us, and that was to save the Shiv Sena of Balasaheb. This is the second phase of that same movement. We are here to preserve the ideology of Shiv Sena and Balasaheb, and that is why these MPs have decided to come to the original Shiv Sena," Shinde said.

Shinde also took potshots at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who has been slamming the party rebels.

"Today, six MPs have joined us. So we have three Sanjays here with us. We have another Sanjay Rathod (MLA) here also. When we have Sanjay here, no need to talk about any other Sanjay, and you know who I am talking about," he said.

Shinde asserted that the 2022 revolt had received public support and Shiv Sena now has 60 MLAs.

"Omraje Nimbalkar came with a king-size heart after consulting his workers. People call him a 'reel star,' but according to me, he is a real star. All these people have come with us not for their personal interest or benefit but have come for the betterment of their constituency. Whatever we decided in 2022, people accepted that decision, and we went to the people's court after that, and we were approved by the people in elections. We had 40 MLAs when we revolted, but later in elections we became 60 from 40," Shinde said.