Aditya Thackeray Dismisses Surprise Over Ahir’s Departure, Cites Party Roots

Aditya Thackeray, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, downplayed any shock surrounding legislator Sachin Ahir’s decision to align with Ek Nath Shinde’s camp. Speaking on June 30, Thackeray reminded listeners that the party has long observed a pattern where close allies depart when personal interests take precedence.

"For the past four years, we have seen that those who were once closest to us and received everything are the ones leaving for selfish reasons," Thackeray said. He stressed that neighborhoods such as Vile Parle and Sewri have historically been Shiv Sena’s fortresses and will continue to be, regardless of individual movements.

Thackeray also highlighted Ahir’s routine engagement with party structures, including ward committees, deputy‑leader responsibilities, and union president duties. He asked, "What more do you expect from us? Have we ever stopped talking to you?" The leader asserted that there was no lack of communication and that the party’s internal mechanisms remained intact.

Ahir, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Ek Nath Shinde, countered the narrative at a press conference. He claimed that he had consistently fulfilled the responsibilities assigned by Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray, and that the criticism only emerged after his recent shift.

The contrasting statements reflect a deeper debate within the party about loyalty, the impact of personal ambitions, and the resilience of its traditional voter base in Mumbai.