In a significant political setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), senior party leader and Maharashtra Legislative Council member Sachin Ahir on Tuesday joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Soon after switching sides, Ahir filed his nomination as the ruling alliance's official candidate for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar were present when Ahir submitted his nomination papers.
Ahir's defection is being viewed as another major blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT), particularly in Mumbai, where he has long been regarded as one of Uddhav Thackeray's close associates and a key organisational leader.
Political observers see Ahir's move as the second phase of the Shinde faction's reported "Operation Tiger" strategy to induct leaders from the Thackeray camp. After successfully drawing several MPs following the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is now believed to be focusing on attracting MLAs and Legislative Council members from the Uddhav Thackeray faction.
Ahir began his political career in the 1990s as a trade union leader representing textile mill workers. He was first elected as an MLA from Worli in 1999 and went on to retain the seat twice.
He later vacated the Worli Assembly constituency for Aaditya Thackeray, who won the seat in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Given his influence in Mumbai politics and his long association with the Thackeray family, Ahir's induction into the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is being seen as politically significant. He was also considered an important leader in strengthening the party's position in areas represented by Aaditya Thackeray.
In recent weeks, leaders of the Shinde faction have indicated that more legislators from the Shiv Sena (UBT) could join their camp in the coming months.
The latest political development is expected to further intensify the ongoing rivalry between the two factions of the Shiv Sena ahead of key political events in Maharashtra.
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