This development follows a week after six rebel Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction joined the Shinde-led group, an essential part of the ruling coalition Mahayuti, which also includes the BJP and NCP.
Ahir, a close ally of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, filed his nomination as the Mahayuti candidate, accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Deputy Chief Ministers Shinde and Sunetra Pawar (NCP).
Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve announced that party MLC Jagannath Abhyankar is the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the election set for Wednesday (July 1).
Speaking to reporters, Ahir, who was previously elected as an MLC from the undivided Shiv Sena, emphasized that he has not left the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
Ahir’s apparent departure from Shiv Sena (UBT) is viewed as a significant setback for Aaditya Thackeray, the MLA from Worli in central Mumbai.
A nephew of the underworld figure-turned-politician Arun Gawli, Ahir was a three-time MLA of the united NCP and also served as a minister during the Congress-NCP alliance’s tenure from 1999-2014.
He also held the position of Mumbai city chief of the undivided NCP. Ahir was defeated by the undivided Shiv Sena candidate Sunil Shinde in the 2014 assembly elections.
Before Aaditya Thackeray contested and won his first assembly election in 2019, Ahir joined the undivided Shiv Sena. Since then, he has become a close aide to Aaditya Thackeray and was entrusted with various organizational roles, including managing the party-controlled trade union.
In 2022, Ahir was elected as a legislative council member.
During a news conference, with Deputy CM Shinde by his side, Ahir expressed gratitude to the Shiv Sena president for believing in him.
“Some may criticize me, but it is regrettable to disparage those who choose a different path. I will address political remarks elsewhere,” asserted Ahir, who is set to complete his six-year term as an MLC in 2028.
In a pointed remark aimed at Aaditya Thackeray, Ahir stated that newcomers to a party are often warmly received, but those who leave are labeled as selfish.
Ahir reiterated that he has always fulfilled every duty assigned to him by Shiv Sena (UBT) and confirmed, “I have not abandoned the party.” Shinde praised Ahir as a grassroots worker with strong connections to party members, asserting that his decision to join the Mahayuti would bolster the Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Pune, and across Maharashtra.
“Shiv Sena legislators had previously elected Sachin Ahir to the legislative council, and the ruling party is now backing him for the deputy chairperson role. When Ahir was elected an MLC, it was our legislators who voted for him. He was chosen for the Upper House by Shiv Sena MLAs who ran on the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. He remains with us now,” Shinde stated to reporters.
Commenting on the timing of Ahir’s nomination, Shinde noted it was coincidental that he filed his papers on June 30, the same day he took the oath as chief minister in 2022 after the split with the Shiv Sena and the alliance with the BJP.
“We are not here to dismantle anything. We are connecting with new individuals, and they are joining us,” the deputy CM remarked.
In response to Ahir’s exit, Aaditya Thackeray declared that his alignment with Mahayuti would not impact his party or the MVA, asserting that the alleged poaching of Opposition figures is not “Operation Tiger” but “Operation Devendra Fadnavis.”
Targeting his former close associate, the Worli MLA lamented that some leaders receive everything but still desert the party for selfish reasons.
“This isn’t anything new. Worli and Shivdi (also in Mumbai) have always been our stronghold, and they will continue to be. This doesn’t signify a major setback for us,” he stressed.
Critiquing Ahir’s choice, Aaditya Thackeray highlighted that the former minister had been entrusted with numerous significant roles within the party.
“He can’t claim that I didn’t meet him or failed to find time for him, as we traveled together from Pune just days ago. He serves as deputy leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), was appointed as an MLC, and his daughter’s NGO was given a spot in a ward-level committee. He is positioned in the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and heads the BEST union. What more did he expect? Did we offer less?” he questioned.
The younger Thackeray also expressed skepticism over how Ahir could sit with those facing accusations tied to the Ram temple donation theft, the alleged Ujjain land scam, and those attempting to alter Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. Responding to comments from Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray regarding “Operation Devendra Fadnavis” instead of “Operation Tiger,” Shinde claimed that in 2019, Fadnavis made “50 calls” to Uddhav, but none were answered.
“I can attest to that. During the MVA government, language like ‘you will either survive, or I will’ was used. False charges were leveled, and police were dispatched to the ‘Sagar’ bungalow (of Fadnavis). Now, he (Uddhav) suddenly shows concern for Fadnavis. Those are crocodile tears, and Fadnavis is aware of it,” Shinde concluded.
