Sachin Ahir Joins Shinde Faction, Files Nomination for Deputy Chair

In a significant shift within Maharashtra's political landscape, Sachin Ahir, a senior leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a former MLA from Worli, has joined the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Following his entry, Ahir immediately filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. This defection is viewed as a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, particularly given Ahir’s history as a close confidante of Aaditya Thackeray and his previous role in consolidating the party’s presence in Mumbai’s political corridors.

This switch follows a recent wave of departures from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, including the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs who aligned themselves with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena just last week. The ruling Mahayuti alliance has described these developments as the next phase of the 2022 internal party rebellion that saw the Shinde faction secure the official party name and symbol. The political maneuverings underscore the persistent pressure on Uddhav Thackeray’s remaining support base as more legislators look toward the ruling coalition’s legislative influence.

The nomination of Ahir for the Deputy Chairman's post serves as a strategic move by the Mahayuti alliance to assert greater control over the Legislative Council’s proceedings. With the election approaching, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has countered by naming MLC Jagannath Abhyankar as their official candidate. The developments highlight the ongoing volatility within the state legislature as various factions compete for institutional positions, signalling a period of intense rivalry that continues to reshape Maharashtra’s political governance and power dynamics ahead of future legislative sessions.