Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed six [1] rebel MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction into his camp on Monday.

The shift in allegiance further weakens the political standing of Uddhav Thackeray and signals a continuing realignment of power within the state's fractured Shiv Sena party.

Speaking at the YB Chavan Centre in South Mumbai, Shinde praised the lawmakers who shifted their support. He described the group as "dhurandhar" [2], a term denoting seasoned or expert leaders. The MPs have reportedly submitted a letter to the Lok Sabha speaker to formalize their acceptance of Shinde's leadership [3].

Shinde dismissed allegations that the lawmakers switched sides for personal or financial gain. He said the decision was guided by ideology and a public mandate. The chief minister said the move reflects a commitment to the people rather than individual profit.

This transition comes amid ongoing tension between the Shinde-led faction and the UBT wing. While critics of the move have suggested the shift was motivated by political survival, Shinde said the alignment is based on a shared vision for the region.

The six [1] MPs now bolster Shinde's influence in the lower house of Parliament. This development follows a series of political upheavals in Maharashtra that have seen multiple party splits, and shifting coalitions over recent years.

“"All are dhurandhar"”

The defection of these six lawmakers represents a strategic blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and strengthens Eknath Shinde's legislative leverage. By framing the move as an ideological alignment rather than a transactional switch, Shinde is attempting to legitimize the split and consolidate his claim as the true representative of the party's public mandate in Maharashtra.