Uddhav Thackeray's Sena (UBT) Shattered: 6 Rebel Lok Sabha MPs Formally Merge Into Shinde's Shiv Sena

Maharashtra: On June 22, 2026, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a massive political blow as six of its rebel Lok Sabha MPs officially jumped ship to join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction during a joint press conference in Mumbai. The defecting lawmakers represent a crucial two-thirds majority of the original UBT parliamentary group. By hitting this threshold, the rebels effectively bypass India's anti-defection law, allowing them to legally merge or claim status as a separate group. This high-profile exit drastically reduces Uddhav Thackeray’s strength in the Lok Sabha down to just three MPs, cementing a major consolidation of power for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena camp.

Why this happen?

The split within Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is now official as six rebel Lok Sabha MPs have formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. Some leaders stated the reason of shifting, is the funding.

Where was the announcement?

The move was made official during a joint press conference flanked by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
Shinde called it an "Operation Tiger" and is succesfull.

"Operation Tiger is now complete and successful," the deputy chief minister stated while also recalling his June 2022 rebel moments. That rebellion was splitted the then Shiv Sena. Before this, there was no any factions related to Shivsena. In February 2023, the Election Commission recognised Shinde's faction as the official Shiv Sena, while Uddhav Thackeray's group was designated Shiv Sena (UBT).

VIDEO | All six rebel MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) join ruling Shiv Sena, headed by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde (@mieknathshinde), in Mumbai.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/DpYP7Q2mIe

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026

"These Lok Sabha members have now joined the original Shiv Sena that follows the teachings of late Balasaheb Thackeray. Four years back I took a strong step and now I have hit a sixer. I did it earlier to save the principles of late Balasaheb Thackeray and to save the Shiv Sena. Now, this move is the second stage of Shiv Sena expansion," he added when addressing to the media.

Who left the party?

The six switching MPs include Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Haribhai Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, and Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh.

What will be the political impact?

This defection reduces the Uddhav Thackeray camp's strength in the Lok Sabha. Now the counts reduced to just three MPs. Crucially, these six represent a two-thirds majority of the UBT Shivsena parliamentary group. Now, It is successfully bypassed. The anti-defection law and can legally claim recognition as a separate faction or part of Shinde's party.