Sachin Ahir Quits Sena (UBT), Joins Shinde Camp, Elected Dy Chairman

In a significant political development, Sachin Ahir, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and a close confidante of Aaditya Thackeray, officially defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. This high-profile switch occurred just ahead of a crucial election for the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, for which Ahir immediately filed his nomination as the MahaYuti candidate. The defection represents a major setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, which has been grappling with a series of political challenges. It comes barely days after six Lok Sabha MPs from the Sena (UBT) camp crossed over to the Shinde faction, further eroding Uddhav Thackeray's legislative strength. The Shinde camp has termed these ongoing defections as part of an 'Operation Tiger-3', signaling a continued effort to attract leaders and legislators from the Sena (UBT) into their fold. On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Sachin Ahir was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. This swift victory followed the withdrawal of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate, J.M. Abhyankar, a request made by parliamentary affairs minister Chandrakant Patil. Ahir's election cemented his new allegiance and underscored the growing influence of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and its alliance partners, the BJP and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), collectively known as the MahaYuti. Sachin Ahir's political journey has been diverse, beginning with the Indian National Congress, then moving to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and subsequently joining the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019. He was instrumental in strengthening Aaditya Thackeray's position in the Worli constituency, particularly during Aaditya's electoral debut in 2019. Ahir was rewarded with a Legislative Council berth in 2022, the same year Eknath Shinde engineered the split within the Shiv Sena, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Eknath Shinde welcomed Ahir's decision, asserting that Ahir was elected as a Shiv Sena MLC in 2022, and since the 'bow and arrow' symbol and the official party name are now with the Shinde faction, Ahir technically had not changed parties. This argument is often used to navigate the complexities of the anti-defection law. However, leaders from the Sena (UBT), including MP Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray, expressed strong disappointment. Raut questioned Ahir's loyalty and integrity, stating that Ahir had received everything from the party and his move showcased political hunger over values. Aaditya Thackeray reportedly accused Ahir of abandoning the party that had politically elevated him and suggested that the defections were part of a larger strategy by the BJP, calling it 'Operation Devendra Fadnavis'. The defection is seen as a significant personal and political blow to Aaditya Thackeray, as Ahir was considered his key strategist and 'right-hand man' in Mumbai, particularly in Worli. It also raises questions about Aaditya Thackeray's political acumen and Uddhav Thackeray's ability to retain his party's organizational strength. The Shinde faction's acquisition of Ahir, a prominent trade union leader, is expected to further consolidate their influence, especially among Mumbai's working-class population. The implications of these defections on the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections are considerable, with speculation that Ahir's presence in the Shinde camp could pose a formidable challenge to Aaditya Thackeray in Worli. The political landscape of Maharashtra remains highly dynamic, with continuous realignments since the 2022 split. The Election Commission's decision in February 2023, recognizing Shinde's faction as the official Shiv Sena and allotting it the 'bow and arrow' symbol, has intensified the battle between the two factions to claim the political and ideological legacy of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Ahir's switch and subsequent election are the latest episodes in this ongoing power struggle, further reshaping the political equations in the state.

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