Marking his first statement amid rising rumors regarding ’Operation Tiger,’ the Hingoli MP confirmed his shift to the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
In a video shared on his social media, Ashtikar stated he has remained true to his ideology, noting that he ”has just transitioned from one Shiv Sena to another.”
He pointed to the lack of development funds and other disadvantages of being in the opposition, including the inability to facilitate the work of party activists, as key reasons for his defection.
”I, along with some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decisions until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which led us to believe that remaining here (Sena-UBT) served no purpose,” he explained.
Nanded, Maharashtra: Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar states, “I have not gone anywhere. I was in Shiv Sena and I am still in Shiv Sena. I have never left my ideology and I will not leave it in the future either. I was in Shiv Sena and I will remain in Shiv Sena.… pic.twitter.com/IJDJODfeDu
— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026
Ashtikar made it clear that he held no resentment towards Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and party leader Sanjay Raut, despite Raut being vocally critical of dissident MPs and having used derogatory language against them in a press conference.
”The work of party workers is stalled as we are not aligned with the power. People voted for us with high hopes, and fulfilling their expectations is my responsibility. However, I was not receiving any development funds. The ₹5 crore MPLAD fund is quite limited. Considering these elements, I made this decision,” Ashtikar stated.
He also claimed that, despite his best attempts over the past two years, he had failed to secure funds for his Lok Sabha constituency.
”We need resources, and I have taken this step. I intend to continue working for the people and completing the responsibilities entrusted to me by them,’’ he added.
Pointedly addressing the Sena (UBT) leadership, Ashtikar acknowledged that some individuals might be displeased with him, but he believes they will eventually grasp his motives.
”I was left with no alternative,’’ he added.
Ashtikar insisted that he has remained steadfast in his ideology. Nagesh Patil Ashtikar.
”I have not gone anywhere. I simply transitioned from one Shiv Sena to the other. While people may express their frustration, they should also be mindful of their language. I will not compel anyone to join me. However, I will continue to stand with them,’’ he added.
Sanjay Raut had threatened that rebel MPs would be confronted by irate Shiv Sena workers through ’Operation Tudwa’.
Ashtikar remarked that Raut is also cognizant of the ”after-effects.”
”While he may be a fatherly figure and able to critique, he ought to realize that everyone has the capacity to respond accordingly. Such incidents may occur occasionally. Even he (Raut) understands the implications,’’ he added.
Lok Sabha members Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar did not attend the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17, fueling speculation about their imminent crossover to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party currently has nine Lok Sabha members. The dissidents can avoid the anti-defection law if at least six of them defect.
