Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 24: The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is grappling with a wave of defections barely three months after the Maharashtra Assembly polls, as several key leaders and workers jump ship to join Eknath Shinde’s Sena.

The latest high-profile exit was Rajan Salvi, a three-time MLA from Ratnagiri’s Rajapur, who joined the Shinde-led faction along with his supporters. His departure follows that of former corporator Rajul Patel, a staunch Thackeray loyalist.

For Thackeray, these defections mark not just an organisational blow but a political setback, with Shinde gaining traction as Chief Minister. The trend of desertions intensified after the 2024 Assembly polls, where Sena (UBT) won only 20 of the 97 seats it contested, while Shinde’s faction secured 57 out of 87 seats.

Amid these shifts, Thackeray has acknowledged the betrayals, likening his situation to the constant tremors experienced in Japan. However, Sena (UBT) leaders allege money and political pressure are driving these defections.

Meanwhile, an upbeat Shinde camp has intensified its efforts, with reports of ‘Operation Tiger’—a mission to woo more Sena (UBT) leaders and workers.

Political analysts note that accessibility remains a key factor, with Shinde being more approachable compared to Uddhav Thackeray, whose leadership style is seen as distant. Analysts also argue that for many leaders, the decision to switch sides is less about ideology and more about immediate political benefits.

With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on the horizon, the defections are expected to further shift the political landscape in Maharashtra.