Sachin Ahir joins Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena ahead of Maharashtra Council Deputy Chairman Election
In a major political setback for Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), senior leader and Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) member Sachin Ahir joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday, just ahead of the election for the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Ahir formally switched allegiance in the presence of senior leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and subsequently filed his nomination as the alliance's candidate for the Deputy Chairman's post. His move is being viewed as a significant boost for the Shinde faction while dealing another blow to the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT).
A seasoned politician, Ahir began his political career with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) before joining the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019. He currently serves as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and has previously represented Mumbai's Worli constituency in the state Assembly.
His defection comes amid continued political realignments within Maharashtra, where the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has steadily attracted leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray camp since the party split in 2022. The latest development is expected to strengthen the Mahayuti alliance's numbers ahead of the Deputy Chairman election and intensify the political battle within the Shiv Sena.
The Deputy Chairman election has gained added significance as both the ruling alliance and the opposition seek to consolidate their influence in the Legislative Council. Ahir's switch is likely to impact the outcome of the election and further reshape Maharashtra's political landscape.
