Political uncertainty gripped Marathwada on Wednesday as three Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs — Sanjay Jadhav from Parbhani, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar from Hingoli, and Omprakash Rajenimbalkar from Osmanabad — remained unreachable, intensifying speculation that a group of six Lok Sabha members may be on the verge of breaking away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
High Stakes in Marathwada
These three MPs represent the party's entire Lok Sabha strength from the Marathwada region, raising the stakes of a possible split that could wipe out the party's parliamentary presence in what was once a core stronghold of the undivided Shiv Sena. Of the eight Lok Sabha seats in Marathwada, the Aurangabad seat was the only one won by Shiv Sena (Sandeepan Bhumare) in the 2024 general elections, while Jalna (Dr Kalyan Kale), Nanded (Ravindra Chavan), and Latur (Dr Shivaji Kalge) were won by Congress, and Beed by NCP (SP) (Bajrang Sonawane).
Impact on Legislative Council Election
The reported developments, apart from tilting the balance in the region in favor of Mahayuti, have also cast a shadow over the Maharashtra legislative council election scheduled for Thursday. Nanded-based Krushna Patil-Ashtikar — the son of Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and the Shiv Sena (UBT)-backed Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate — sought to quell speculation by claiming loyalty to the party leadership.
“I was with Maha Vikas Aghadi yesterday, I am with it today, and I will remain with it tomorrow. I am a Shiv Sainik of Uddhav Thackeray, and there should be no doubt about my stand,” he said in a video statement. However, the absence of any public clarification from the MPs themselves has deepened suspense, even as reports of behind-the-scenes political movement gained traction.
Behind-the-Scenes Movement
Inputs circulating in political circles claimed that Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Yavatmal MP Sanjay Deshmukh traveled via a chartered flight from Nanded to Hyderabad and then onward to Delhi, fueling speculation of possible negotiations. The uncertainty has triggered visible unrest within the party ranks.
Worker Anger and Social Media Outcry
Across Parbhani, Hingoli, and Dharashiv, Sena (UBT) workers expressed anger and anxiety, flooding social media with criticism. Several local office-bearers and party supporters expressed disappointment over the possibility of the MPs switching sides. Some social media users went as far as labeling the MPs “gaddar (traitor)” even before any formal announcement. Party supporters also circulated past speeches of the MPs pledging unwavering commitment to Uddhav Thackeray, questioning whether those promises still held.
Party Response
Sena (UBT) MLA Rahul Patil attempted to downplay the crisis, insisting that the party’s strength lay beyond individual politicians. He maintained that such rumors had surfaced repeatedly over the past year. He warned that any defection would invite public backlash, arguing that voters do not endorse political shifts for convenience. He also said party functionaries dissatisfied with any issue had access to mechanisms within the organization to seek redressal.
With no official word from the MPs till late on Wednesday evening, the silence has only amplified uncertainty, leaving party workers, voters, and allies guessing whether Marathwada is on the brink of a major political realignment.
