BJP Minister Mahajan, Sanjay Raut exchange sharp words over Shiv Sena (UBT) crisis

Published 18 June 2026 · local

As the Shiv Sena (UBT) stares at an imminent split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial meet, the party's Rajya Sabha

As the Shiv Sena (UBT) stares at an imminent split after six of its Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial meet, the party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut and Maharashtra BJP Minister Girish Mahajan traded barbs over the crisis on Thursday (June 18, 2026). Mahajan claimed Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also leave the party soon and blamed Mr. Raut for the splits and exits from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Opposition outfit. Mahajan launched a sharp attack on Mr. Raut over his remarks on possible defections by the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha members, whileMr. Raut hit back, alleging the BJP Minister himself would be the first to switch sides if central probe agencies were under his control. Also Read | Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs meet Lok Sabha Speaker after serving Whip, want caveat letter to be followed Their war of words came after six of the nine Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, indicating a formal crossover to the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.

Mahajan and Mr. Raut accused each other of damaging political parties and encouraging defections. Responding to Mr. Raut's warning of dire consequences for the MPs who leave the party, Mr. Mahajan said there was nobody left in the Shiv Sena (UBT) to create a disturbance. "There is no one left in the Sena (UBT) to create a ruckus in the party. Who is left now? Those days are gone. At that time (united) Shiv Sena was with us (BJP). Now you want to make (Congress MP) Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister," Mr. Mahajan said. The Congress is an ally of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Targeting the Sena (UBT) leadership, the BJP leader claimed party workers and elected representatives were frustrated. "You (Raut) just start your daily dose from Mumbai, but are you truly on the ground? People are not only tired of you, but your own Lok Sabha members are also frustrated with you. Soon, the Sena (UBT) corporators from the BMC will also leave their own party," he said.

Mahajan alleged the Sena (UBT) leadership was inaccessible and acted hastily against leaders suspected of leaving the party. "The Sena (UBT) leadership is not only inaccessible but with a rumour of someone leaving the party, the top leadership immediately discards that person. Is this even a way to run the party?" he asked. The BJP leader blamed Mr. Raut for the splits and exits from the party. "I have every time stressed to (Shiv Sena-UBT president) Uddhav Thackeray that keeping Raut close to him is like a human bomb. The Sena (UBT) is getting split or people are leaving because of Raut's continued blabber," Mr. Mahajan claimed. Earlier in the day, Mr. Raut said Shiv Sena (UBT) workers would launch "Operation Tudava" (Operation Thrash) in response to "Operation Tiger", a reference to defection by Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. "Why should people have respect for such traitors? People's anger will come out in their own way," Mr. Raut warned. Hitting back at Mr. Mahajan, he said, "If the ED and CBI control comes to me, I will show you.