Just a trailer: Eknath Shinde hints at more Sena UBT defections after 6 MPs buzz

Mumbai,UPDATED: Jun 19, 2026 23:39 IST

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday indicated that more leaders from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) could switch sides, amid buzz around six dissident MPs. Calling the reported move "just a trailer", he suggested that further defections could follow.

Speaking at the Shiv Sena's 60th foundation day event in Mumbai, Shinde used much of his speech to target Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, question his leadership and defend his own camp's position within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Referring to the speculation around the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, Shinde said, "This is just a trailer and the movie is yet to come. Just see what happens ahead (Yeh too sirf trailer tha. Picture abhi baaki hain. Aage aage dekho hota hain kya)." His remarks came against the backdrop of "Operation Tiger", an alleged move by the Shiv Sena led by him to bring Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray camp into his fold.

None of the six dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs - Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Patil Ashitkar and Bhausaheb Wakchowre - were present at the rally amid the buzz that they could join the ruling Shiv Sena headed by Shinde.

Without naming Thackeray, Shinde said introspection was needed on why people were abandoning him. He added that a wolf does not become a tiger by covering itself with a tiger's hide. "These wolves threatened me when I led the revolt (against Thackeray) in 2022," he said. He also said one cannot become the heir of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray merely by claiming blood ties, and added that the party was not a piece of land. According to Shinde, the politics of those who forgot the saffron flag had ceased to exist, while those who had kept Bal Thackeray's ideals alive were being badmouthed.

Continuing his attack, Shinde said a general must not sit at home and has to be on the front and fight, while describing himself as someone who leads from the front. In an apparent swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, he said, "some dogs bark but a tiger roars and hunts". Referring to attacks on the rebel MPs, Shinde said, "You curse them in the morning and then talk good about them in the evening." Raut had warned that his party would launch "Operation Tudwa" against the rebel MPs.

Shinde said the BJP-led Mahayuti would win all 17 seats in the Legislative Council polls, for which voting took place on Thursday and counting is due on June 22. Of these, six seats have already been won unopposed by the ruling coalition of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. He also said some people were trying to create a divide between him and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP, but maintained that the bonding among the three Mahayuti parties was good.

He also attacked the opposition INDIA bloc and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying Gandhi remained the captain despite losing elections several times. Shinde said parties such as Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD and DMK had suffered electoral losses whenever they aligned with the Congress.

At the rally, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam acknowledged the role of party MP and Shinde's son Shrikant in "Operation Tiger". Kadam said that if Shinde took two steps, Shrikant took four to ensure the operation succeeded. He also proposed that Shrikant should head the Yuva Sena, the party's youth wing.

Shinde praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 12 years in office and becoming the country's longest-serving elected prime minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru. He also praised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for "eradicating" Naxalism and for abrogating the special provisions of Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

Ahead of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra, Shinde urged party workers to closely monitor the process and appoint Booth-Level Agents. He also said the Yuva Sena should remain active both on the ground and on social media. Overall, Shinde used the event to signal possible defections from Shiv Sena (UBT), attack his rivals and rally workers behind the Mahayuti and the party's organisational work.

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