Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised six rebel members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction who joined his camp in May 2026.
The shift represents a significant blow to the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and alters the political landscape for the Shiv Sena factions in Maharashtra.
Speaking at the YB Chavan Centre in south Mumbai, Shinde described the lawmakers as "dhurandhar" [1]. He said they are capable leaders rooted in the ground [1]. The move follows a period of speculation regarding the stability of the UBT faction, with key meetings occurring mid-May 2026 [2, 3].
Shinde dismissed allegations that the lawmakers switched sides for personal gain. He said their decision was guided by ideology, and the public mandate [1, 4]. According to Shinde, these leaders have joined the "real Shiv Sena" [4].
The six rebel MPs [4] have reportedly submitted letters to the Lok Sabha speaker to formalize their move to the Shinde-led faction [5]. This transition strengthens Shinde's position within the party structure and his standing in the state's legislative dynamics.
Critics of the move, including members of the UBT camp, have characterized the defection as opportunistic. However, Shinde said that the alignment of these leaders with his vision for the party is a reflection of genuine political conviction [1, 4].
“"All are dhurandhar"”
The defection of six MPs from the UBT faction to Eknath Shinde's camp weakens Uddhav Thackeray's legislative leverage and reinforces Shinde's claim to be the legitimate leader of the Shiv Sena. By framing the move as an ideological shift rather than a political transaction, Shinde is attempting to consolidate the party's base and project stability ahead of future electoral challenges in Maharashtra.
