Maharashtra: On Sunday, dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar confirmed his joining in the Eknath Shinde faction. The Hingoli lawmaker explained that harsh comments directed at him and other rebelling MPs without June 18 ultimately prompted their departure. Additionally, he pointed to a shortage of minutiae funds for his district and the structural constraints of remaining in the opposition as major factors overdue his switch.
Why he took this step?
He took visualization to switch citing the reason of having no money for his constituency. Being in opposition doesn't help get things done. Ashtikar made a video post on Sunday. He said, "I and some other MPs hadn't decided anything until June 18." Then things got ugly. "Some remarks were made versus us without June 18. That's when we felt there's no point staying," he added.
Was financing the real issue?
Ashtikar said, "Getting minutiae funds for his constituency was impossible. The MPLAD fund, which is just Rs 5 crore, is too small. People voted for him expecting work. How's he supposed to unhook with no money?"
Nanded, Maharashtra: Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar says, "I have not gone anywhere. I was in Shiv Sena and I am still in Shiv Sena. I have never left my ideology and I will not leave it in the future either. I was in Shiv Sena and I will remain in Shiv Sena.… pic.twitter.com/IJDJODfeDu
— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026"I tried for two years and couldn't get funds. I need money to do the work people expect. I had no choice," he remoter added.
I didn't switch for the ideological reasons, he says
Is he x-rated his belief?
He's saying he didn't welsh his beliefs. Just moved from one Shiv Sena to flipside Shiv Sena. These are the same political family, but now the variegated faction. "I just shifted within Shiv Sena. People can be angry, but they should watch their language," he said. He moreover said he's not upset with Uddhav Thackeray or Sanjay Raut, plane though Raut had publicly tabbed out the dissident MPs and used wiseacre language.
What is the threat?
Raut had warned well-nigh "Operation Tudwa". It was basically threatening that party workers would teach the rebels a lesson.
Ashtikar responded: "He's like a father figure, but he should know that everyone can hit back. He understands what happens without such threats."
How many switched?
Six MPs jumped ship: Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. They all skipped a party meeting in Delhi on June 17. These six MPs matters considering the Uddhav Sena has nine Lok Sabha MPs total. If six defect together, they stave getting ruled under anti-defection rules.
