6 UBT MPs Skip Shiv Sena 60th Anniversary Event Amid Defection Buzz

Maharashtra's political landscape was once again rattled in June 2026 as six Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction notably abstained from an event organized by their party to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Shiv Sena's founding. This significant absence, first reported by Hindustan Times on June 18, 2026, and corroborated by multiple credible news outlets, has vigorously fanned the flames of a potential fresh split or major defections within the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp. The Shiv Sena, founded by Balasaheb Thackeray on June 19, 1966, marked its Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) on June 19, 2026. However, instead of a unified celebration, the occasion underscored the deep-seated divisions plaguing the party since the major split in 2022. Both the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) held separate, competing events to mark the foundation day. The Shinde faction gathered at the Nesco Centre in Goregaon, while the UBT faction convened at the Shanmukhanand Hall in Sion, Mumbai. These parallel celebrations served as a clear demonstration of organizational strength and a contest for narrative control, aiming to establish which faction is the rightful inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy. At the heart of the latest political turmoil is the reported defection of six UBT MPs. According to an internal police communication, the six MPs – Sanjay Dina Patil, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, and Omprakashraje Nimbalkar – traveled to New Delhi, skipping a crucial parliamentary party meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray and subsequently the anniversary event. This move has fueled widespread speculation under the moniker 'Operation Tiger,' suggesting that these MPs are actively in discussions with the Eknath Shinde camp and are preparing to switch their allegiance to the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The timing of these rumored defections is particularly sensitive, occurring amidst the 60th-anniversary celebrations and with the monsoon session of the state legislature approaching. The UBT leadership has reacted strongly to these developments. Aaditya Thackeray, a prominent leader in the UBT faction, publicly denounced the rebel MPs, labeling them as "shameless, ungrateful, and corrupt individuals." Furthermore, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has issued show-cause notices to the dissident MPs, indicating formal action against them for their defiance. The political maneuvering extends beyond the legislative assembly. Reports indicate that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has also begun targeting municipal corporators from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, aiming to further weaken the UBT's grassroots presence. This continuous chipping away at the UBT's strength highlights the high-stakes battle for political legitimacy and relevance in Maharashtra's evolving political landscape. The original split in Shiv Sena occurred in June 2022, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and Eknath Shinde taking over as Chief Minister with BJP support. Uddhav Thackeray had famously offered to resign as Sena chief during that crisis, expressing readiness to pick anyone the Sainiks wished. [cite: Related Article 2] He also apologized to Shiv Sainiks, stating they were 'fired up' amidst the rebellion. [cite: Related Article 1] The current 'split buzz' in 2026, therefore, is not an isolated event but a continuation of the intense factionalism and struggle for control over the party's name, symbol, and ideological legacy. The UBT faction continues to face the challenge of functioning without the original party name and the iconic 'Bow and Arrow' election symbol, striving to ensure voters associate the party with its new identity. The political uncertainty created by these potential defections has significant implications for Maharashtra politics. It could further consolidate the Eknath Shinde faction's position and weaken the UBT, potentially impacting future electoral battles and the overall political balance in the state. The events surrounding the Shiv Sena's 60th Foundation Day in June 2026 thus serve as a fresh chapter in the ongoing saga of the party's fragmentation and the fierce battle for its future direction.

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