Power Shift: How Fresh Uddhav Sena Exodus Could Strengthen Shinde's Hand Within Mahayuti

Last Updated:June 19, 2026, 11:18 IST

If MPs and MLAs move, they would not only weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s legislative position but also accelerate Shinde’s rise as the dominant force within the Shiv Sena ecosystem.

Maharashtra’s political churn around the Shiv Sena appears far from settled, with reports suggesting that up to 16 MLAs and around 6 Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) are exploring a possible exit from the faction. The development comes at a sensitive moment for Uddhav Thackeray, as the party continues to grapple with the aftershocks of the 2022 split that first elevated Eknath Shinde into the centre of Maharashtra’s power structure. What makes the current situation particularly significant is that six rebel MPs have already submitted a formal communication to the Lok Sabha Speaker, signalling support for the NDA.

At the same time, reports indicate that as many as 16 MLAs are also under watch and may be preparing to break away or shift allegiance, further intensifying speculation of another organisational rupture within the UBT camp. While no official split has been declared, the simultaneous movement of MPs and MLAs has added momentum to the perception that Eknath Shinde’s camp continues to expand its footprint across both Parliament and the Maharashtra Assembly. If these developments translate into formal shifts, they would not only weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s legislative position but also further accelerate Shinde’s rise as the dominant force within the Shiv Sena ecosystem – one that is increasingly extending its influence into Mumbai’s civic power centre, the BMC.

Shinde’s Rise In Maharashtra And Parliament

Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have formed a separate grouping in Parliament and submitted communications to the Lok Sabha Speaker, indicating early procedural movement. These six MPs are – Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East), Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), and Bhausaheb Vakchaure (Shirdi).

These MPs are believed to be in contact with the Eknath Shinde-led faction, exploring alignment possibilities. If that happens, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, which currently has seven Lok Sabha MPs, will have its strength increased to 13 MPs while Shiv Sena (UBT)’s strength will come down from nine to three.

Separately, 14-16 MLAs are reportedly reassessing their position and could shift towards the Shinde camp in phases.

For Shinde, this adds to an already strong post-2022 position where his faction was recognised as the official Shiv Sena. Any additional movement would further reinforce his claim that the organisational and electoral core of the party shifted with him, not with Uddhav Thackeray.

The BMC Factor: Shinde’s Influence Expanding

Beyond Parliament and the Assembly, the most strategically important battleground is now emerging as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) – the civic body that has historically been the Shiv Sena’s strongest institutional base.

According to a Times of India report, around 25 Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators are in touch with the Shinde faction. A disqualification case involving a corporator over a caste certificate issue, which has further weakened UBT’s position in the civic body. There is growing internal churn within Mumbai’s civic network, where local-level leaders are reportedly reassessing their affiliations.

The importance of the BMC goes beyond numbers. It is India’s richest municipal corporation, controlling large-scale budgets, contracts, and an extensive grassroots political machinery in Mumbai. For decades, it functioned as the Shiv Sena’s organisational backbone. Any shift in this ecosystem therefore carries long-term consequences.

For Eknath Shinde, civic-level gains may be even more significant than parliamentary defections. The Shiv Sena’s rise was rooted in Mumbai’s ward-level control. Movement of corporators strengthens Shinde’s claim over that original organisational structure. Unlike MLAs and MPs, BMC corporators directly influence booth networks, local mobilisation, and contractor ecosystems – key to future elections.

Eknath Shinde’s Rise Within Mahayuti

If the current reports materialise, Shinde’s political strength would span three simultaneous layers: Parliament, Assembly and BMC.

This consolidation is politically significant because it reflects not just a split in leadership, but a systemic shift in organisational control across Maharashtra’s political hierarchy.

This would significantly improve Shinde’s negotiating position within the Mahayuti. The BJP has consistently viewed legislative strength as the basis for allocating political influence within the alliance. If Shinde’s party expands its presence in both the Lok Sabha and the Assembly while simultaneously making inroads into the BMC, it would be difficult to overlook his growing organisational clout. That could translate into a stronger voice on key issues ranging from cabinet portfolios and policy priorities to seat-sharing in future elections.

The coming days are expected to be critical, with attention focused on whether the MPs’ communication to the Speaker leads to formal recognition or procedural clarification, whether MLAs move in coordinated batches or remain fragmented, how the Uddhav Thackeray faction responds internally to prevent further erosion, and the final position of the BMC corporators amid ongoing legal and political pressure.

If even a part of MPs and MLAs move decisively, it would mark a major reinforcement of Eknath Shinde’s post-2022 trajectory, further embedding his leadership not only within the Maharashtra government but across the legislative and civic foundations of Shiv Sena’s traditional stronghold in Mumbai.

About the Author

Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures...Read More

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