Eknath Shinde Claims Defection of Shiv Sena MPs is Just a Trailer for Bigger Political Shifts

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared that the potential defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to his faction is merely a prelude to larger political shifts.

Addressing party workers, Shinde alluded to internal party issues within Uddhav Thackeray's camp, suggesting a need for introspection. He also expressed confidence in the Mahayuti's victory in upcoming legislative council polls, highlighting a significant political maneuver.

Amid the buzz that six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are set to join the rival faction led by him, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said this is just a trailer and the film is yet to come.

Addressing party workers on the Shiv Sena's 60th foundation day here, Shinde took a veiled dig at Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and said introspection should be done on why people were abandoning him.

None of the six dissident MPs were present at the rally held here.

Without naming Thackeray, Shinde said a wolf doesn't become a tiger by covering itself with a tiger's hide.

Shinde also asserted that the Mahayuti will win all 17 seats in the legislative council polls, voting for which took place on Thursday.

Shiv Sena (UBT) is in the throes of a crisis as six out of its nine Lok Sabha members -- Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar -- are likely to join the Shinde-led Sena.

These lawmakers did not attend the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting convened on Thursday, confirming their breach with Thackeray's leadership.

This is the second major rebellion that the Thackeray-led party faced in the last four years.

The undivided Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray, split in June 2022 after Shinde and majority of party MLAs rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray. The faction led by Shinde then joined hands with the BJP to form a government. The party name and poll symbol 'bow and arrow' were allotted to the Shinde-led faction.