Six MPs announce joining Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde during a press conference after the induction of leaders into the party on Monday (June 22, 2026) in Mumbai. | Photo credit: PTI

Ending days of speculation over the alleged defection of six of the nine Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena (UBT), six MPs made a public appearance with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday (June 22, 2026). They announced joining the Shiv Sena and said they would continue to work under Mr. Shinde’s leadership. “We have completed the procedure within the legal, constitutional and parliamentary framework. We are conducting reliable operations. All six MPs have joined the Shiv Sena. Operation Tiger has been successful,” Shinde said on Monday (June 22, 2026) in the presence of party legislators, cabinet ministers and senior officials.

Also read | ‘Operation Tiger’ a success, declares Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

The Shiv Sena (UBT) attacked the Shiv Sena and the BJP, claiming that it was part of a larger plan to increase their majority so they could change the constitution. “People of India have stopped them from 2024 elections. But all these things are being done so that they can change the constitution written by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shinde stood hand in hand with all the six MPs during the press event. “We are all party workers here. No one will be disrespected. Your problems will be solved with this dual government. I assure you that you will not face any problems from now on,” he told the six MPs.

With this induction, Shiv Sena strengthened its position as the second largest party in Maharashtra. Its strength in the Lok Sabha has now increased from seven to 13, increasing the party’s strength in the ruling NDA alliance.

“Amit Shah and the central leadership have cooperated with us. We will take a decision for the welfare of the party workers, for their constituencies,” he said.

‘real tigers’

Appreciating the MPs, Mr. Shinde said they were all true tigers. “Four years ago, on June 22, 2022, we revolted in Shiv Sena. There were 40 MLAs with us. We were told that we would never be re-elected. But here we are today. Four years later, we ran into six. In 2022, we revolted to save Shiv Sena and the ideology of our rebellion. Mr. Shiv. Thacker said. Key leaders who played a major role in this operation role, were felicitated on stage.They included Tanaji Sawant, Pratap Sarnaik and Dr. Shrikant Shinde.

Shiv Sena leaders claimed to have verified all legal aspects of the process. A group of six MPs formed a separate group which announced its merger with the Shiv Sena, the leader said. He added that all relevant processes were completed before the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

The six MPs who joined Mr Shinde’s Shiv Sena are — Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Dina Patil, Bhausaheb Wakchoure, Omraje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Bandu Jadhav.

Anant Kalse, a constitutional expert, said six MPs demanded a split and formation of a separate party. “Their split has to be recognized by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The party has to be recognized by the Election Commission. This newly formed party should merge with another party as per Clause 4 of Schedule 10 of the Constitution of India. If this process is completed, we need to know which is the other party in which the newly formed party of these six MPs was merged. Then there should be a vertical split in the party, as they claim, as per the constitutional provisions, that all this has been done.” Hindus.

Published – 22 Jun 2026 22:37 IST