Sachin Ahir Becomes Maharashtra Council Deputy Chairman A Day After Joining Shinde Camp

A day after quitting the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Sachin Ahir was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday. His appointment marks another setback for the Uddhav faction, which is already grappling with a series of political defections.

The election took place after Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate JM Abhyankar withdrew his nomination following a request from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil. The reason behind the withdrawal has not been officially clarified.

Ahir's Switch Gives Shinde Sena Another Boost

Sachin Ahir formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Tuesday before filing his nomination for the Deputy Chairman's post. Within a day, he secured the position unopposed after the rival candidate stepped aside.

His move comes at a politically sensitive time for the Uddhav Thackeray camp, which has been facing growing internal challenges. The latest development follows the recent defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament to the Shinde faction, further strengthening the ruling NDA's numbers in Parliament.

Who Is Sachin Ahir?

Sachin Ahir is a former MLA from Worli and was widely regarded as one of Aaditya Thackeray's close associates. His departure from the Uddhav camp has therefore come as a significant political surprise.

Ahir began his political career with the Congress before shifting to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He later joined the undivided Shiv Sena and remained with the party until the split triggered by Eknath Shinde's 2022 rebellion.

Following the split, Ahir continued as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, having been elected to the House in 2022. After his latest political switch, police personnel were deployed outside his residence on Wednesday morning, while several supporters gathered to meet him, according to PTI.

UBT Leaders Question Ahir's Loyalty

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena reacted sharply to Ahir's decision, accusing him of placing political ambition above loyalty and principles.

"There is something called integrity in politics and personal life. He (Sachin Ahir) has been a very special person to Aaditya Thackeray... But political hunger has grown so much that integrity and loyalty have no value left...," Sanjay Raut said.

Calling for introspection within the party, Raut said leaders should carefully assess individuals who receive significant responsibilities but later abandon the organisation.

"We need to identify the character of person. Some get too much and it hurts party loyalists," Raut said.

His comments echoed concerns raised earlier by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Shinde following Ahir's departure.

Raut Targets Eknath Shinde Amid Political Setback

Sanjay Raut also criticised Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claiming that his rise in politics was made possible by the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.

"If Uddhav Thackeray had not given everything posts, power to Eknath Shinde where he would be? He became what he is today because he received all those things in the party from leadership," Raut said.

Ahir's exit has added to the mounting pressure on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, which is facing one of its toughest phases after multiple senior leaders and lawmakers shifted allegiance to the rival Shinde camp.