30 June,2026 12:32 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak Mastakar
Ahir submitted his nomination in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar
Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered another political setback on Tuesday after senior leader and Maharashtra Legislative Council member Sachin Ahir filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council as the official candidate of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. He is expected to formally join the party later in the day.
Ahir's move comes just days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, further deepening the crisis for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
Ahir submitted his nomination in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, signalling the ruling alliance's backing for his candidature.
Ahir, considered a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, had been serving as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the opposition party before crossing over to the ruling alliance.
His decision marks another high-profile exit from the Uddhav Thackeray camp at a time when political tensions between the rival Shiv Sena factions continue to escalate.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve confirmed that MLC Jagannath Abhyan is the Maha Vikas Aghadi's candidate for the Deputy Chairman's election.
By fielding Ahir for the Deputy Chairman's post, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has strengthened its claim to one of the key constitutional positions in the Legislative Council.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance currently enjoys a numerical advantage in the Upper House, making Ahir's candidature significant in the contest.
If elected, Ahir will preside over the proceedings of the Legislative Council in the absence of the Chairman, a role that carries considerable procedural and administrative responsibilities.
Ahir's decision has once again brought attention to the political campaign that leaders of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have referred to as "Operation Tiger", under which the party has been inducting leaders from rival political camps, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT).
The latest development follows the recent defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament to the Shinde-led faction, reinforcing the ruling party's efforts to expand its political base ahead of future electoral contests.
The six MPs who joined the ruling Shiv Sena are Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar.
The latest political development is expected to further intensify the rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions, both of which continue to stake claim to the political legacy of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
The Shinde-led Shiv Sena has described the series of defections from the Uddhav Thackeray camp as evidence of growing support for its leadership, while Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the ruling alliance of engineering political defections instead of focusing on governance.
With Ahir's nomination adding to a string of recent defections, the political contest between the rival Shiv Sena factions is set to become even sharper in the run-up to the upcoming local body elections and other political battles in Maharashtra.
