"No Funds In Opposition": Rebel MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Explains Jump To Shinde Sena

Maharashtra: On Sunday, dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar confirmed his joining in the Eknath Shinde faction. The Hingoli lawmaker explained that harsh comments directed at him and other rebelling MPs after June 18 ultimately prompted their departure. Additionally, he pointed to a shortage of development funds for his district and the structural constraints of remaining in the opposition as major factors behind his switch.

Why he took this step?

He took decision to switch citing the reason of having no money for his constituency. Being in opposition doesn't help get things done. Ashtikar made a video post on Sunday. He said, "I and some other MPs hadn't decided anything until June 18." Then things got ugly. "Some remarks were made against us after June 18. That's when we felt there's no point staying," he added.

Was financing the real issue?

Ashtikar said, "Getting development funds for his constituency was impossible. The MPLAD fund, which is just Rs 5 crore, is too small. People voted for him expecting work.  How's he supposed to deliver with no money?"

Nanded, Maharashtra: Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar says, "I have not gone anywhere. I was in Shiv Sena and I am still in Shiv Sena. I have never left my ideology and I will not leave it in the future either. I was in Shiv Sena and I will remain in Shiv Sena.… pic.twitter.com/IJDJODfeDu

— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026

"I tried for two years and couldn't get funds. I need money to do the work people expect. I had no choice," he further added.
I didn't switch for the ideological reasons, he says

Is he abandoned his belief?

He's saying he didn't abandon his beliefs. Just moved from one Shiv Sena to another Shiv Sena. These are the same political family, but now the different faction. "I just shifted within Shiv Sena. People can be angry, but they should watch their language," he said. He also said he's not upset with Uddhav Thackeray or Sanjay Raut, even though Raut had publicly called out the dissident MPs and used abusive language.

What is the threat?

Raut had warned about "Operation Tudwa". It was basically threatening that party workers would teach the rebels a lesson.
Ashtikar responded: "He's like a father figure, but he should know that everyone can hit back. He understands what happens after such threats."

How many switched?

Six MPs jumped ship: Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. They all skipped a party meeting in Delhi on June 17. These six MPs matters because the Uddhav Sena has nine Lok Sabha MPs total. If six defect together, they avoid getting disqualified under anti-defection rules.