Sachin Ahir Joins Shinde Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a fresh political setback in Maharashtra after MLC Sachin Ahir joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and filed his nomination for the Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson post as a Mahayuti candidate.
Sachin Ahir Joins Shinde Shiv Sena
Sachin Ahir’s move is being seen as a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray, with whom he was closely associated in the Shiv Sena (UBT). Ahir formally joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday, adding to the ongoing political churn within the Thackeray faction.
Soon after the switch, Ahir filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. His candidature is backed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP.
Uddhav Thackeray Faction Faces Setback
The development comes at a difficult time for Shiv Sena (UBT), which has already faced a series of exits since the 2022 split in the party. The Thackeray-led group has been trying to retain its organisation and legislative strength amid continued pressure from the rival Shiv Sena faction.
Ahir’s departure is politically important because he was considered an influential leader in Mumbai and had been associated with labour politics before becoming a key face in the Thackeray camp.
Maharashtra Legislative Council Election
The Deputy Chairperson election in the Maharashtra Legislative Council has now gained wider political attention after Ahir’s nomination from the ruling alliance side. His move is expected to further sharpen the rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions.
The split between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde began in 2022, leading to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Since then, both sides have continued to battle over the Shiv Sena’s political legacy.
