On June 22, 2026, six Members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, formally joined the Shiv Sena party led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The event took place in Mumbai, with Shinde personally welcoming the new members.
The six MPs, whose identities were not immediately disclosed in available reports, were part of a group of 12 rebel Sena (UBT) MPs who had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray. Their defection marks a significant shift in Maharashtra's political landscape, further consolidating Shinde's faction after the split in 2022.
This move is seen as a major blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT), which has been struggling to maintain its parliamentary strength since the original split. The joining ceremony was attended by several Shiv Sena leaders, highlighting the party's efforts to expand its base ahead of upcoming elections.
