Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Joined Shinde Faction to Follow ‘Real Hindutva’ Path: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Mumbai | June 24, 2026:: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Tuesday welcomed the decision of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, claiming that they had chosen the “real path of Hindutva” by leaving what he described as the anti-Hindutva alliance of the Congress, NCP, and AIMIM.

Reacting to the development, Rane said the MPs had become disillusioned with the direction taken by Shiv Sena (UBT) because of its association with what he called anti-Hindutva forces such as the Congress, NCP, and AIMIM.

“Uddhav Thackeray has become Uddhav Khan. Now these six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs have decided to follow the path of Hindutva,” Rane said.

Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs formally joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The leaders inducted into the party were Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the MPs were paid ₹85 crore by the ruling Mahayuti alliance to defect.

Responding to the allegations, Deshmukh said, “The NDA does not need MPs right now. They already have the numbers. We joined them for development work and to maintain the Hindutva line propounded by Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.”

Deshmukh added that several projects in his constituency had stalled due to a lack of funds.

He further claimed that around 50 corporators from Washim and Yavatmal had contacted him, expressing interest in joining the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, indicating that more leaders may switch camps in the coming days.

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_Agency Inputs.