NASHIK: Amid reports that six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may break away to form a separate group, and later merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, senior BJP functionary and cabinet minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday said the development could trigger a wider exodus from the party, including corporators in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Speaking to reporters in Nashik on Thursday, Mahajan claimed the reported move reflected deepening unrest within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and warned of further defections. "This is just the beginning. In the coming days, more leaders may take similar steps," he said.
He suggested that dissatisfaction was not limited to MPs and could extend to MLAs and corporators. "People are fed up. MPs and MLAs are unhappy, and even corporators may take a call soon," he said, hinting at possible shifts in Mumbai's civic body.
Taking a swipe at the party's ideological direction, Mahajan alleged that the Shiv Sena (UBT) had deviated from the legacy of its founder Balasaheb Thackeray after aligning with Congress and the NCP. "You may have secured the chief minister's post, but lost your core voter base," he said.
Mahajan also criticised the party leadership, claiming it had failed to address growing discontent. "Workers and office-bearers were hurt. Instead of addressing their concerns, they were left on their own," he said.
Targeting Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Mahajan blamed his remarks for fuelling internal unrest. "Such remarks have not only upset the public but also party netas and workers," he said, adding in a swipe that Raut should "do Yoga to calm down" and may eventually join Congress.
