Fadnavis admits BJP gave 'full support' to six UBT Sena MPs' defection
Synopsis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly confirmed — for the first time — that the BJP gave 'full and proper support' to the defection of six UBT Sena MPs to Eknath Shinde's camp. The candid admission strips away the usual deniability that shields ruling parties in defection manoeuvres, and signals how openly the Mahayuti alliance is now willing to own its political consolidation strategy.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis confirmed on 1 July that the BJP provided 'full and proper support' to the defection of six UBT Sena MPs to the Eknath Shinde faction.
Fadnavis declined to reveal operational specifics, saying it would not be 'wise or appropriate for a seasoned politician' to do so.
He attributed the defection primarily to a leadership confidence crisis within the Uddhav Thackeray camp, not merely to lack of development funds.
The admission marks the first public acknowledgement by a sitting Maharashtra CM of BJP's direct facilitating role in a rival party's split.
The development further weakens Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary presence following the original 2022 Shiv Sena split .
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, 1 July publicly acknowledged for the first time that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) provided active backing to the defection of six Members of Parliament from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction to the rival group headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking during a television interview in Mumbai, Fadnavis stopped short of revealing operational specifics but made no attempt to deny the BJP's structural role in the split.
What Fadnavis Said
'First of all, in such operations, one is not supposed to disclose what exactly transpired, who executed it, or how it was done,' Fadnavis stated. 'All I will say is that the operation was carried out by our ally [Eknath Shinde's faction], and they had our full and proper support.'
He elaborated further: 'Whatever assistance they required from us as an ally, we provided it to them. Beyond this, it would not be wise or appropriate for a seasoned politician to reveal further details.'
The Real Reason Behind the Defection, According to Fadnavis
While early political commentary in Mumbai had attributed the MPs' switch to grievances over inadequate development funds — a consequence of being in the opposition — Fadnavis argued the fracture ran far deeper. 'While development funds for infrastructure, local projects and social issues might be one of the factors... I do not believe it is the primary reason,' he said.
He pointed instead to a breakdown in internal confidence within the Uddhav Thackeray camp. 'The real breakdown happens when the top leadership stops instilling confidence in its rank and file,' Fadnavis remarked. This framing positions the defection not as an opportunistic poaching exercise but as a symptom of organisational decay within the UBT faction.
The Political Psychology of Defection
Fadnavis also offered a broader reading of why elected representatives change allegiances. 'In politics, everyone looks out for their future. If an MP or MLA realises that the leader they are working under cannot guarantee a secure future, they begin to lose faith,' he said. 'It isn't always just about being in power, but rather whether their leader is fighting for them, putting in the hard work and showing a clear path forward. When they realise things are just moving aimlessly as usual, they conclude there is no future left there. Naturally, they try to move to where they see a viable future.'
Significance and Broader Context
The defection of six UBT MPs represents a significant erosion of Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary base, coming after the original 2022 Shiv Sena split that toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Notably, this is the first time a sitting Chief Minister has openly confirmed the BJP's facilitating role in a defection from a rival faction — a candour unusual in Indian coalition politics. The admission is likely to intensify scrutiny of the ruling Mahayuti alliance's methods and could give opposition parties fresh grounds to challenge the political legitimacy of the realignment in Maharashtra.
With the Maharashtra political landscape continuing to fragment, the UBT Sena's ability to retain its remaining MPs and MLAs will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Point of View
Not because they were poached — is also politically astute: it shifts moral responsibility onto the opposition leader. What it does not address is whether the facilitation crossed legal lines under the anti-defection law, a question that courts and the Election Commission may yet be asked to answer.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Devendra Fadnavis admit about the UBT MP defections?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed on 1 July that the BJP provided 'full and proper support' to the defection of six MPs from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction to Eknath Shinde's rival group. He declined to share operational details but did not deny the BJP's direct involvement.
Why did the six UBT MPs defect to Eknath Shinde's faction?
According to Fadnavis, the primary reason was a breakdown of leadership confidence within the Uddhav Thackeray camp, not just the lack of development funds that comes with being in opposition. He argued that MPs gravitate toward leaders who can guarantee their political futures.
Is this the first time Fadnavis has spoken about the BJP's role in the split?
Yes, according to reports, this is the first time Fadnavis has openly addressed the BJP's involvement in the defection of the six UBT MPs. His admission is considered unusually candid for Indian coalition politics, where ruling parties typically maintain deniability in such situations.
What is the significance of this defection for Maharashtra politics?
The loss of six more MPs further erodes Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary base, which was already weakened by the 2022 Shiv Sena split that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. It strengthens the ruling Mahayuti alliance's dominance in Maharashtra.
Could the defection face legal challenges under the anti-defection law?
The anti-defection law in India disqualifies legislators who voluntarily give up party membership or defy party whip, but its application to MPs switching factions within a split party is complex and has historically been contested in courts. Whether the six UBT MPs face disqualification proceedings remains to be seen.
