On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde formally welcomed six rebel MPs from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction into the Shiv Sena party. The move consolidates Shinde's hold over the state legislature and weakens the opposition. It underscores the ongoing realignment of regional political forces ahead of upcoming elections.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde formally welcomed six rebel MPs from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction into the Shiv Sena party. The move consolidates Shinde's hold over the state legislature and weakens the opposition. It underscores the ongoing realignment of regional political forces ahead of upcoming elections.