27 June,2026 04:43 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat. Pic/X
Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Saturday criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to the constituencies of six rebel Lok Sabha MPs, describing the tour as a symbolic exercise aimed at attracting publicity rather than reconnecting with party workers.
Shirsat also accused Thackeray of allowing his "ego" to weaken the party and rejected the former chief minister's claim that the rebel MPs had won previous elections solely because of his leadership.
The remarks come days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, intensifying the political battle between the rival factions.
Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shirsat said Thackeray's visit to the constituencies represented by the rebel MPs was intended to generate media attention rather than achieve any political purpose.
"This tour of Uddhav Thackeray is merely a 'touch and go' one. It is meant only to show that he has visited constituencies where the MPs have left him. This is being done simply so that people learn through the news that he has visited their constituencies," Shirsat said.
Thackeray has been touring the constituencies of the six MPs who recently switched allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Shirsat also referred to the fact that Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis travelled to Nagpur on the same aircraft.
While saying he did not believe any discussion had taken place between the two leaders during the journey, he remarked that political dialogue should not be ruled out.
"I don't think any communication took place between them. But communication should take place because it holds importance in politics," he said.
Responding to Thackeray's assertion that the rebel MPs had won previous Lok Sabha elections because of his leadership, Shirsat said such thinking reflected political arrogance.
He alleged that Thackeray's attitude was contributing to the decline of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
"If everyone won elections on your word, then why did their (Sena UBT) MLA count drop from 63 to 20 in the last assembly election? They also lost the Mumbai civic elections. The MPs and MLAs who won elections under his leadership left the party. Shiv Sena (UBT) and its leadership should take responsibility for this," he said.
Continuing his criticism, Shirsat claimed that the repeated defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) reflected dissatisfaction within the party rather than the influence of external factors.
He alleged that instead of blaming those who had left, the party leadership should examine the reasons behind the exodus.
"Thackeray's ego is finishing his party," Shirsat alleged.
The exchange of remarks comes amid escalating political tensions following the defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Leaders from both factions have continued to trade allegations as they seek to consolidate support ahead of upcoming political contests in Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
