Sachin Ahir Defection Sparks Calls For Introspection Among Shiv Sena UBT Loyalists
The defection of Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Sachin Ahir to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday has sparked public discontent and calls for urgent introspection within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly in Mumbai's Worli constituency. Party loyalists have expressed deep resentment over what they describe as the preferential treatment of "outsiders" at the expense of long-time party workers.
The departure of Ahir, who joined the undivided Shiv Sena seven years ago and dominated activities in the party's traditional bastion of Worli, has brought simmering internal unrest to the fore. Following the defection, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sunil Shinde publicly urged the party leadership to examine why such exits continue to occur.
Sunil Shinde, who defeated Ahir in Worli by over 23,000 votes in the 2009 elections, reminded leadership that Ahir had been preferred over local loyalists. He noted that Aaditya Thackeray's electoral success in Worli was due to the Thackeray family's reputation and dedicated party loyalists, rather than Ahir's influence. While Shinde refuted rumours on Wednesday that he was also planning to defect, he insisted that senior leaders need to reflect on the party's direction.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut echoed these concerns on Wednesday, agreeing that the party must introspect for the sake of its political future. Raut stated that loyal workers feel taken for granted when newer recruits receive "special treatment" and plum posts, only to eventually abandon the party. He cited the rise of Eknath Shinde himself as an example of someone who received extensive opportunities from Uddhav Thackeray before leading the 2022 party split.
Former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar also voiced support for the loyalists, questioning past decisions to privilege outsiders. Pednekar pointed to the appointment of MLC Manisha Kayande over party loyalist Meena Kambli, who recently crossed over to Eknath Shinde's faction.
Meanwhile, South Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant stated that every member, not just the leadership, needs to introspect on whether their behavior serves the party's interests.
Aaditya Thackeray attempted to downplay the internal criticism, attributing the defections to poaching by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also commented on the development during a Wednesday press conference, criticizing the defectors.
