Sanjay Raut Confirms Shiv Sena Rebels in Touch — Uddhav Camp Faces Crossover Crisis

June 25, 2026 5 min read

A parliamentarian from Uddhav Thackeray's faction confirmed on Monday that at least one party member has crossed over to the rival camp, while senior leader Sanjay Raut acknowledged that some dissidents remain in active contact with opponents. The developments signal fresh turbulence within Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of key state political battles.

The confirmation came during a press interaction in Mumbai, where the MP addressed speculation about lawmakers switching sides. Raut, the party's chief strategist and Rajya Sabha member, offered a candid assessment of the situation without disclosing names or exact numbers of those in contact with rival factions.

MP Confirms the Crossover

"Yes, we have seen one confirmed case of a member joining the other side," the MP stated at a briefing held at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar. The lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the departure creates a practical problem for the party organisation but insisted the broader legislative strength remains intact. Details of which constituency the defector represented were not immediately shared.

Raut, who has served as the party's primary spokesperson for years, did not contradict the MP's account when approached separately. He chose his words carefully, distinguishing between confirmed departures and ongoing negotiations. "We are aware of several discussions happening in the background," he said. "People explore their options. That is politics in Maharashtra."

Rebel Contacts and Internal Tensions

The acknowledgment that some rebels are "in touch" suggests the party hierarchy has intelligence on which members are considering moves. This typically occurs when floor-crossing threatens to reduce a party's legislative tally ahead of important votes or during hung assembly scenarios.

Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged from a dramatic split in 2022, when the original Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde defected with dozens of MLAs, toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Since then, Uddhav Thackeray's outfit has operated as a reduced opposition force in both the state legislature and Parliament.

Sources within the party, speaking to local media, indicated that the current pressure stems from speculation about early assembly elections and uncertainty over seat-sharing arrangements in key constituencies across Maharashtra.

Political Context in Maharashtra

Maharashtra politics has been characterised by shifting alliances since the 2019 assembly polls. The Shiv Sena, historically an ally of the BJP, broke away to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi with the NCP and Congress. That coalition collapsed in June 2022 when Shinde's rebellion brought down the government within 72 hours.

Since the split, Shiv Sena (UBT) has functioned with a significantly diminished footprint in the state assembly. The party holds approximately 15 to 20 seats in a 288-member house, compared to the Shinde faction's claimed strength of over 40. This numerical weakness makes individual crossovers politically significant.

Electoral Implications for Urban Centres

The ongoing uncertainty affects campaign planning in major urban centres including Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, and Pune. These constituencies have traditionally been Shiv Sena strongholds, and party workers report confusion about messaging and candidate selection. Local booth-level workers say they have received no clarity on whether the party will contest seats independently or seek fresh alliances ahead of the next state election cycle.

What Sanjay Raut Represents

Raut has been a central figure in Shiv Sena's communication strategy for over two decades. A Rajya Sabha member representing Maharashtra, he is known for sharp political commentary and has been instrumental in framing the party's narrative after the 2022 split. His public statements often signal internal calculations and strategic positioning.

His admission that rebels are "in touch" with opposing camps follows a pattern of frank acknowledgements designed to either pressure wavering members back into line or prepare the ground for further departures. The approach reflects a pragmatic assessment that denial would damage credibility.

Party workers in Mumbai said Raut's comments have been received with a mix of concern and acceptance. "He tells it like it is," said a local party office-bearer. "We would rather know where we stand."

Shinde Faction Response

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has not formally responded to the latest developments. However, sources close to the Maharashtra government indicated that the ruling side views the Uddhav camp's difficulties as a sign of organisational weakness. Cabinet ministers aligned with Shinde have made public statements in recent weeks questioning whether Shiv Sena (UBT) can mount an effective opposition in the assembly.

Shinde himself addressed party workers in Thane last week, claiming his faction now represents the "real Shiv Sena" and urging fence-sitters to formalise their position. The statement was widely interpreted as an open invitation to Uddhav's remaining supporters.

Dharashiv and Regional Dimension

The political turbulence comes at a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) has been attempting to rebuild its organisational structure in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. Dharashiv, a town in Osmanabad district, has emerged as a symbolic location for the party's outreach efforts. Uddhav Thackeray visited the region earlier this year to address party workers and project renewed commitment to grassroots mobilisation.

However, local leaders report that the 2022 split caused lasting damage to the party's network in smaller towns. Many former workers aligned with the Shinde faction control local party offices and resources. Rebuilding from a diminished base in these regions requires both time and money — two resources the Uddhav camp finds in short supply.

What Comes Next

Party sources indicated that Shiv Sena (UBT) will convene a meeting of its legislative wing within the next two weeks to assess the current situation and issue a formal response. The gathering, expected to take place in Mumbai, will bring together MLAs and MPs to discuss strategy and address any outstanding grievances among sitting members.

Raut is expected to play a central role in that meeting. His public comments in the coming days will likely clarify whether the party plans to take disciplinary action against potential defectors or attempt a reconciliation approach. Party sources suggested that neither option is straightforward given the legal complexities surrounding anti-defection provisions in the Tenth Schedule.

For now, the focus shifts to the ground reality in Maharashtra's urban constituencies. Whether additional crossovers materialise will depend on how the next few weeks unfold — and whether Uddhav Thackeray's inner circle can stem the tide before the legislative session resumes.