'Explosions to continue': After 6 UBT rebels shift to Shinde Sena, a warning 'for more'

Shinde, in the presser, said the six MPs who joined his faction had done so voluntarily and without any pressure.

Updated on: Jun 23, 2026, 11:23:11 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde on Monday hinted at more political developments after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined the Shiv Sena faction led by him. Reacting to the latest shift, Shinde said, "explosions after explosions will continue to happen. For the last four years, we have only been creating political shocks."

Shinde said all formalities had been completed and the MPs had officially joined the Shiv Sena, (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo)

Suggesting that the latest move may only be the beginning, he added, "Yeh to bas Trailer hai picture abhi baaki hai" (the main story is yet to unfold).

Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs join Shinde faction

The political shift came after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs — Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar — officially joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Shinde responds

Speaking about the intense media coverage, Shinde said, “And tell me, wasn't today enough for you (journalists)? Two major news stories, both national headlines, how many do you want in a single day?”

He further said, "Take something tomorrow, the day after, or even later. I think even you must be tired by now, breaking news after breaking news since morning. How much more will you keep running around? Now take some rest today, stay calm. Tomorrow, we will start afresh once again."

Six rebel UBT MPs officially join Shinde's Shiv Sena

The move has resulted in Sena's MPs increased from from 7 to 13. This has increased the strength of Shiv Sena.

Also read | Big blow to Uddhav Thackeray as six rebel UBT MPs officially join Shinde's Shiv Sena: ‘Operation Tiger successful’

Welcoming six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into his fold, Maharashtra dy CM Eknath Shinde said their induction marked the "second phase" of the political realignment that began with his 2022 revolt against Uddhav Thackeray.

Shinde said all formalities had been completed and the MPs had officially joined the Shiv Sena, which he described as the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray's ideology. Calling the move a "sixer" for his camp, Shinde maintained that his faction's struggle was aimed at safeguarding Balasaheb's vision and values.

Where it all began

These 6 rebel MPs had skipped the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17, fuelling speculation that they were on their way to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Also read | Six rebel MPs join Sena; Shinde says ‘all formalities fulfilled’

Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar were the only two MPs who had confirmed they were shifting to Shinde group.

Transport Minister and Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik has said that six MPs were impressed by work of Sena chief leader Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde and were joining Sena today. They had given a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and wanted to follow ideology of Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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