Date: June 2, 2026; Location: Samriddhi Expressway of Maharashtra. The convoys of senior Uddhav Thackeray group leader Ambadas Danve and Eknath Shinde group MLA Abdul Sattar came face to face. Both the leaders got down from their vehicles and hugged each other. A picture of their meeting went viral on social media. After this, Ambadas Danve told the media, “Now the time has come for the two Shiv Sena factions to unite again. This will not happen just because I wish; there should be such a desire from both the parties.” In response, Abdul Sattar said, “If Shinde Saheb agrees, it will not take much time to merge the two parties.” MLC elections for 16 seats in Maharashtra are to be held on June 18. Here are two things that show why this seat and the talk of an alliance between the two Shiv Sena leaders is important:
1. **Tension before MLC elections:** BJP has made Suhas Shirsat its candidate for Sambhajinagar-Jalna seat. Shinde faction had also claimed this seat. Since this has been a traditional stronghold of Shiv Sena, tensions have increased due to the claims of both the groups. The BJP has also fielded a candidate for the Aurangabad-Jalna seat, which has been another stronghold of the undivided Shiv Sena; There is anger in Shinde group due to this.
2. **Concern about the growing influence of BJP:** Leaders of both the groups, Uddhav and Shinde, believe that BJP is gradually capturing the political space of its allies. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve and Shinde faction leader Abdul Sattar have openly called BJP a challenge.
**Shiv Sena says: ideology is one, just waiting for orders from high command**
Is Shiv Sena, which was divided four years ago, ready to unite again? Ajay Boraste, Nashik district president and a close aide of Eknath Shinde, says, “Every Shiv Sainik in Maharashtra wants the two groups to unite, but no one knows what is going on in the minds of our leaders (Uddhav and Eknath).” “Both parties are followers of Balasaheb’s ideals, so party workers want the two factions to unite again.”
“The way BJP is working in Maharashtra has completely changed the situation for its allies. Everyone is keeping an eye on the situation in NCP, but our Shinde sahib is a fighter, so everything is under control.” Prathamesh Geete, leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction (Shiv Sena UBT), tells *Bhaskar*, “Shiv Sena has historically been the number one party in Maharashtra. Due to political differences, we got divided into two factions, but the name remained the same. It will be beneficial if we all unite. Nominations for MLC elections have just been held and everyone is keeping an eye on the moves of BJP. Many experienced candidates did not get tickets. If both the factions of Shiv Sena come together. If we work, we can fight the elections more effectively.”
What is the reason for increasing restlessness among Shiv Sainiks?
During the nomination process for the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections, differences arose between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) over the Sambhajinagar-Jalna seat. Both the parties wanted to field their candidates from this seat. A senior activist of the Shinde faction, on condition of anonymity, said, “Once upon a time, Shiv Sena had sole dominance over Aurangabad Municipal Corporation and Zilla Parishad. The party got divided in 2022 and today BJP has captured both these important institutions.” Shiv Sena had been contesting elections from Sambhajinagar-Jalna seat for more than two decades, but this time BJP gave the ticket to Suhas Shirsat, which angered the Shinde faction.
Shinde faction wanted to field Sameer Sattar, son of Sillod MLA Abdul Sattar, from this seat, but it did not happen. In protest, Sameer filed his nomination as an independent candidate. When the situation started worsening, Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde intervened and asked him to withdraw his nomination. Although Sameer Sattar withdrew the nomination, the incident sent a message among party workers: despite being a coalition partner, the BJP is distributing tickets as per its wish.
Sanjay Raut’s statement has intensified speculations about the alliance.
Uddhav faction’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut did not miss the opportunity to take advantage of the growing uneasiness in the Mahayuti alliance. On June 2, he had said that if the leaders supporting Eknath Shinde in 2022 regret their decision, they should return to Uddhav Thackeray’s party; They will be welcomed. Alleging that BJP is destroying Shiv Sena, Sanjay said, “If Shinde faction leaders feel that BJP is destroying Shiv Sena, then they should ask those among them who are still working like crooks for BJP.”
Shinde says: People have chosen our Shiv Sena
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has neither denied nor confirmed the merger of the alliance. He was speaking after Mahayuti candidate Ravindra Phatak filed nomination papers for the Thane-Palghar local body constituency seat.
BJP says: Lies are being spread; don’t pay attention
Responding to speculations about the merger, BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla said, “Lies are being spread. There is no such possibility. Party leader Eknath Shinde has also made it clear that he will continue to serve the people of Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti.” All the disputes that had arisen in Mahayuti regarding ticket distribution for MLC elections have been resolved. Candidates of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are ready for the elections.
