The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena has been facing a series of setbacks in recent days, with leaders shifting allegiance to Eknath Shinde's camp. In a major blow to Thackeray's hold in the Konkan region, former MLA Rajan Salvi has joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, further weakening the faction. In response, the Thackeray camp has taken disciplinary action, issuing a press release announcing the expulsion of three senior office-bearers from the party on Uddhav Thackeray’s orders.
Shiv Sena secretary and former MP Vinayak Raut issued a statement announcing the expulsion of three key leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction. Ratnagiri district co-liaison chief Rajendra Mahadik, district chief Vilas Chalke, and Chiplun-Sangameshwar assembly chief Rohan Bane have been removed from the party on Uddhav Thackeray’s orders for alleged anti-party activities. The decision was conveyed through an official press release from the party’s central office.
With growing support for Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, several leaders from the Thackeray faction are set to switch sides. During Shinde’s visit to Ratnagiri today, former MLAs Subhash Bane and Ganpat Kadam, along with ex-Zilla Parishad president Rohan Bane and five former Uddhav Sena corporators from Dapoli, will join his camp, marking a major setback for the Thackeray group.
Guardian Minister Uday Samant has launched a special drive to strengthen Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena in Ratnagiri district. Shinde has been steadily cornering the Thackeray faction not just in Ratnagiri but across Maharashtra. Even before the assembly elections, Kiran Samant had dealt a blow to the Uddhav Sena in Rajapur and Lanja talukas after being announced as a candidate. Now, as an MLA, he is actively expanding the party, with numerous village-level branch heads and department chiefs joining the Shinde camp.