MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s political landscape has shifted dramatically once again. In a severe blow to former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, six of the nine Lok Sabha members from his Shiv Sena (UBT) faction have switched allegiance to the ruling Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The six MPs formally declared their support for the Shinde faction at a specially organised event at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai. Party sources confirmed that “Operation Tiger” — a strategic initiative by the ruling alliance to weaken the opposition — has been executed successfully.
The MPs who defected are Sanjay Dina Patil of Mumbai North East, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure of Shirdi, Omprakash Bhupalsing alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar of Dharashiv, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav of Parbhani, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh of Yavatmal-Washim, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Astikars of Hingoli.
Speaking at a press conference, rebel MPs Omraje Nimbalkar and Nagesh Patil Astikars outlined their reasons for the switch. They stated that sitting in the opposition alliance under Uddhav Thackeray over the past two years had resulted in a complete freeze on development funds for their constituencies. Several public works had stalled due to this funding drought, leaving them unable to account to the voters who elected them. Joining the ruling side, they argued, was a necessity driven by the developmental needs of their constituents.
Beyond financial grievances, the MPs also cited personal humiliation within the party. They alleged that senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut subjected them to severe personal attacks simply because they did not attend an internal party meeting on June 17. Unable to tolerate such treatment, they said they chose to align with the Shinde faction, which they described as the true inheritor of Shiv Sena’s ideology. Despite the political break, the MPs noted that their respect for “Matoshri” — the Thackeray family residence — remains unchanged.
From a constitutional standpoint, the defecting MPs appear to be on relatively safe legal ground. Since six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have moved together as a bloc, they technically meet the two-thirds majority threshold required under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law. Legal experts suggest that disqualification proceedings against them are therefore unlikely to succeed.
The development significantly strengthens Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha, while leaving Uddhav Thackeray’s faction critically weakened in Parliament. For the ruling Mahayuti alliance, it represents a major strategic victory. For the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, it is a serious blow that raises fresh questions about the durability of Thackeray’s political standing ahead of future electoral contests.