Sachin Ahir's Switch To Shinde Camp Pays Off With Key Maharashtra Poll Win

Sachin Ahir was on Wednesday unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, just a day after leaving the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and joining the rival faction headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. His election marks a significant political gain for the Shinde-led camp and another setback for the Uddhav Sena, which has been grappling with a series of defections in recent days.

Ahir secured the post after Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate JM Abhyankar withdrew his nomination before the election. The request for the withdrawal was made by Maharashtra Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, paving the way for Ahir's unanimous election. While the nomination was withdrawn without a contest, the MVA has not publicly explained the reasons behind its decision, leaving room for speculation over the political calculations that led to the move.

The development came barely 24 hours after Ahir formally quit the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and joined the Shinde faction. Soon after switching sides on Tuesday, he filed his nomination for the Deputy Chairman's post, signalling the ruling alliance's confidence in securing his election. His swift elevation to a key constitutional position is being viewed as a major political victory for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led NDA allies in Maharashtra and a boost for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena's influence within the state legislature.

Also Read: Sena (UBT) Leader Sachin Ahir Joins Shiv Sena Ahead of Deputy Chairman Election

Ahir's departure has added to the challenges facing the Uddhav Thackeray camp, which is already dealing with internal turmoil following the defection of six Members of Parliament to the rival Shiv Sena faction. The latest setback further weakens the party's organisational strength and legislative presence as it seeks to retain its position within the opposition Mahavikas Aghadi alliance. Political observers believe the back-to-back defections could have wider implications for the balance of power within Maharashtra's opposition ahead of future electoral contests.

A seasoned politician, Sachin Ahir began his political career with the Congress before moving to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He later joined the undivided Shiv Sena and served as an MLA from Mumbai's Worli constituency. Considered a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, Ahir's decision to switch camps came as a surprise to many within the party. His election as Deputy Chairman immediately after joining the Shinde faction underscores the shifting political equations in Maharashtra, where alliances and party loyalties have undergone significant realignments since the split in the Shiv Sena in 2022.

Also Read: Shinde’s Rising Strength Reshapes BJP–Shiv Sena Alliance Dynamics In Maharashtra