23 June,2026 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde (centre) welcomes the rebels MPs to the party
Six rebel Members of Parliament (MPs) from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) officially joined Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday. The move comes five days after the MPs skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in New Delhi.
The six MPs who joined the Shiv Sena are Omraje Nimbalkar from Dharashiv; Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai North East; Sanjay Jadhav from Parbhani; Sanjay Deshmukh from Yavatmal-Washim; Nagesh Patil Ashtikar from Hingoli; and Bhausaheb Vakchaure from Shirdi.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (centre), MP Sanjay Raut (in grey jacket), and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray (in blue shirt) with party MLAs and MLCs. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Amid the rebellion, Thackeray on Monday held a meeting with the party's MLAs and MLCs. During the meeting, he urged the legislators to be more aggressive both in their constituencies and on the floor of the state legislature and to strengthen the party's connection with the people. Thackeray even stated that he will visit the constituencies of six MPs who have rebelled and meet party workers and even citizens of those constituencies.
"Operation Tiger is now complete and successful," announced Shinde as he welcomed the rebels into the party. Shinde expressed confidence that all six leaders would contest the 2029 Lok Sabha elections on the Shiv Sena symbol and emerge victorious. Meanwhile, taking a swipe, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that Shinde has "given birth to six traitors".
The deputy CM issued a strong warning to his opponents, saying anyone who tries to target or intimidate his party workers would receive a befitting reply. His remarks came days after leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp warned the rebel MPs of consequences. "I stand with all my party workers not just as a political leader but as a family member," Shinde told reporters.
Rejecting speculation that they joined the Shinde camp under pressure, Nimbalkar said he had overcome many challenges in his political career. "I have faced challenges throughout my journey. Those saying that I rebelled and joined the Shinde Sena under pressure should know that there was no need for me to bow to any pressure." When asked about Thackeray touring his constituency, Dina Patil said, "Uddhav saheb should have done this before." Patil even mentioned that he has nothing personal against Thackeray or the UBT leaders.
