Sachin Ahir was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday, one day after leaving the Shiv Sena (UBT) and joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Ahir's election came after the Opposition withdrew its candidate after the government appealed for an uncontested election, citing parliamentary tradition.
Opposition Withdraws Candidate
The Shiv Sena (UBT) had originally nominated Jagannath Shinde for the Deputy Chairman's post. However, the ruling alliance asked the Opposition to allow for the election to be unanimous because, they said, such appointments are usually made by consensus.
After the appeal, the Opposition withdrew its nominee and Ahir's unanimous election to the constitutional post was achieved.
The development comes just a day after Ahir formally switched allegiance from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to the ruling Shiv Sena headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Sanjay Raut Criticizes Ahir's Defection
Reacting strongly to Ahir’s move, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut accused the veteran leader of abandoning the party despite having such great political opportunities.
Raut said Ahir was given key responsibilities by the party, including being made a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and Deputy Leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT).
He also highlighted Ahir's close association with Aaditya Thackeray, saying the two shared a long political relationship.
"There is something called integrity in politics and personal life," Raut said, and political ambition appeared to have overtaken loyalty.
He also dismissed speculation about more defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and said the party’s legislators were committed despite persistent rumours.
A criticism of Eknath Shinde, Raut claimed that the Chief Minister had “stolen the party” and that the original Shiv Sena was still part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
A Political Journey Across Parties
Sachin Ahir has a long political career spanning multiple parties.
He began his political career with the Congress before moving to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He later joined the undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and emerged as one of the main faces of the party in Mumbai politics.
In 2022, Ahir was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council, when Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena and formed a government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Ahir was one of Aaditya Thackeray's closest political associates for years and was an influential figure in the party's organisational work in Mumbai's Worli constituency till his recent switch.
Boost for the Shinde Camp
Ahir's induction into the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and his immediate elevation to the post of Deputy Chairman are seen as a political boost for the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
His exit has also been another challenge for the Shiv Sena (UBT), which has seen a number of leaders and legislators leave the Shinde group in the last two years since the party split in 2022.
With Ahir now in one of the lead constitutional positions in the Legislative Council, the ruling alliance has further consolidated its hold on the state legislature and has expanded its political base ahead of future elections.
