Shiv Sena Leader Sachin Ahir Defects to Eknath Shinde's Faction in Maharashtra Politics

Political tempers are high in Maharashtra. Uddhav's Shiv Sena is in for a jolt. Now, another big jolt for the UBT is that senior leader and MLC Sachin Ahir has formally joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. More importantly, Sachin Ahir, considered to be Aditya Thackeray's most trusted aide, has also filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council soon after switching sides. His move is being seen as'Operation Tiger-3'in Maharashtra politics, and the Shinde faction claims that many MLAs from the Uddhav camp will also switch sides soon. Uddhav's son and Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray has expressed his displeasure over Sachin Ahir's switch of sides and said, "This is not'Operation Tiger ', but'Operation Devendra Fadnavis '." On Shiv Sena UBT MLC Sachin Ahir joining the Mahayuti, Aditya Thackeray said, "This will have no impact on the Shiv Sena."