What’s Next for Eknath Shinde? Uddhav Thackeray’s ‘Reverse Gear’ Adds New Twist to Maharashtra Politics Amid BJP Tensions

Mumbai: The political fault lines between BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra remain unresolved as the state gears up for municipal elections. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently appeared alongside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Orange Gate Urban Tunnel Project in Mumbai, but tensions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance persist. Amid this, former CM Uddhav Thackeray has initiated a “reverse gear” strategy to reclaim Shiv Sena leaders and workers.

After staying largely inactive since the 2022 split, Uddhav Thackeray has become active in the BMC elections. In the past two days, several leaders and supporters from the Shinde camp have returned to Uddhav’s Shiv Sena, creating a stir within the party. While this move has pleased Uddhav’s faction, tensions continue between BJP and Shinde’s Sena in areas like Kalyan-Dombivli—where Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde, is an MP and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan has influence—leading to ongoing conflicts at the grassroots level.

In Navi Mumbai, major shifts have begun. Leaders from Shinde’s Shiv Sena, including Shirish Kashinath Patil, Mayur Thakur, and Sandeep Salve, along with several supporters, joined Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction (UBT). Party chief Uddhav Thackeray, along with senior leaders Subhash Desai, Rajan Vichare, Vitthal More, and Navi Mumbai district head Prakash Patil, welcomed the returning members. Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, back from a health break, has become active again. After meeting Raj Thackeray, talks of a possible MNS-UBT alliance have emerged.

Eknath Shinde faces a dual challenge: repairing the strained ties with BJP following the Sindhudurg controversy involving MLA Nilesh Rane, and maintaining his influence in traditional Sena strongholds. Analysts note that if Shiv Sena weakens in the municipal elections, it could impact the party’s importance in the MVA government, despite Shinde’s support for the central Modi government. Political sources suggest that pre-election party-switching is likely to intensify, though Shinde’s timely visit to Delhi helped avert a major setback planned by BJP in Thane.

Maharashtra’s political chessboard continues to evolve, with Shinde navigating intra-party tensions and Uddhav Thackeray actively consolidating his base ahead of crucial local polls.