Sachin Ahir joins Shinde Sena, hits back at UBT 'traitor' label
Synopsis
Sachin Ahir's switch from UBT to Shinde Sena is more than a defection — it is a public brawl. By contesting the Maharashtra Legislative Council's Deputy Chairperson post within hours of resigning, Ahir has made clear this is a calculated political move, not a quiet exit. His pointed rebuttal of Sanjay Raut's 'selfish' charge turns the spotlight back on UBT's internal culture.
Key Takeaways
Sachin Ahir resigned from Shiv Sena (UBT) and joined the Eknath Shinde -led Shiv Sena on Tuesday, 30 June .
He filed his nomination for the Maharashtra Legislative Council's Deputy Chairperson post under the Shinde banner.
Ahir held the posts of General Secretary, Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and President, Brihanmumbai BEST Kamgar Sena before resigning.
UBT MP Sanjay Raut alleged Ahir switched sides for personal gain; Ahir directly rebutted the charge at a press conference.
Ahir cited 'unavoidable circumstances' in his resignation letter but declined to specify them publicly.
He remained non-committal on his future in his traditional stronghold of Worli .
Former Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) legislator Sachin Ahir on Tuesday publicly thanked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after switching allegiance to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and filing his nomination for the Maharashtra Legislative Council's Deputy Chairperson post. Standing alongside Shinde at a press conference in Mumbai, Ahir launched a pointed counter-attack on the Thackeray faction, which had labelled him a 'traitor' and 'opportunist' within hours of his defection.
Ahir Fires Back at UBT
Responding directly to the UBT's characterisation, Ahir said, 'It is unfortunate that as long as we were together, we were seen as good, but the moment we part ways, we are labelled unworthy. I will respond to this criticism at the appropriate political forum.'
He also took aim at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who had alleged that Ahir switched sides for personal gain. 'Was I not selfish when I joined their group earlier? If I wasn't then, why am I now? I have always strived to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to me by Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray with full dedication,' Ahir countered. He went further, questioning what one can say 'when those who have never even picked up a stone start lecturing others.'
The Defection and Its Stated Reasons
In a formal resignation letter addressed to Uddhav Thackeray, Ahir — who held the posts of General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and President of the Brihanmumbai BEST Kamgar Sena — cited 'unavoidable circumstances' for his departure. 'I am deeply grateful to you and the party for the trust you reposed in me... However, due to certain unavoidable circumstances, I am resigning,' he wrote, adding that he hoped the 'trust and affection' Thackeray had shown him would remain unchanged.
Ahir declined to elaborate on what those circumstances were, and when asked whether internal resentment had driven his exit, he deflected: 'I have not left any party. Being given the responsibility of the Deputy Chairperson is an honour for a grassroots worker like me.'
Track Record He Claims and What He Says Next
Ahir asserted that during his time with UBT, he worked to strengthen the party organisation in Pune district, which had been assigned to him, and served diligently as a corporator, legislator, and minister. On his future in the Shinde camp — particularly regarding his traditional stronghold of Worli — he remained non-committal, saying only: 'I will carry out whatever responsibility Eknath Shinde assigns to me with full strength.'
Broader Context: Maharashtra's Fractured Sena
Ahir's defection is the latest episode in the prolonged rupture within Shiv Sena following the 2022 split that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and installed Shinde as Chief Minister. The UBT faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have been locked in a bitter contest over cadre, symbols, and electoral turf ever since. Each defection — and the accompanying war of words — deepens that divide ahead of upcoming local body elections.
With Ahir now contesting the Maharashtra Legislative Council's Deputy Chairperson post under the Shinde banner, the episode underscores the continuing erosion of UBT's legislative strength in Mumbai and beyond.
Point of View
Cites vague 'unavoidable circumstances,' and surfaces at a Shinde press conference within hours. What stands out this time is the speed of the counter-attack — Ahir did not wait to be defined by UBT's 'traitor' narrative; he pushed back the same day. Sanjay Raut's 'selfish interests' charge was politically predictable, but Ahir's riposte — 'Was I not selfish when I joined them earlier?' — exposes the hollow nature of loyalty politics on both sides. The real question is what Ahir delivers for Shinde in Worli, a seat that matters for Mumbai's political arithmetic. If he remains non-committal on his constituency, the Deputy Chairperson nomination looks less like a reward and more like a holding position.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sachin Ahir leave Shiv Sena (UBT)?
Sachin Ahir cited 'unavoidable circumstances' in his resignation letter to Uddhav Thackeray but did not publicly specify the reasons. He denied that internal resentment was the trigger, framing his move as accepting an 'honour' rather than leaving a party.
What post is Sachin Ahir contesting after joining Shinde Sena?
Ahir filed his nomination for the Maharashtra Legislative Council's Deputy Chairperson post after switching to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. He made the announcement at a press conference alongside Chief Minister Shinde on Tuesday, 30 June.
How did Shiv Sena UBT respond to Ahir's defection?
The UBT faction labelled Ahir a 'traitor' and 'opportunist.' MP Sanjay Raut specifically alleged that Ahir had joined the Shinde camp for selfish interests. Ahir publicly rejected both charges at the press conference.
What roles did Sachin Ahir hold in the UBT before resigning?
Ahir served as General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and President of the Brihanmumbai BEST Kamgar Sena. He also previously served as a corporator, legislator, and minister, and was assigned organisational work in Pune district for UBT.
What does Ahir's defection mean for Maharashtra politics?
Ahir's switch is part of the broader erosion of UBT's legislative strength since the 2022 Shiv Sena split that brought Eknath Shinde to power. Each defection weakens UBT's cadre base ahead of local body elections and reinforces the Shinde faction's grip on Mumbai's political landscape.
