Shiv Sena (UBT) on Shaky Ground in Raigad and Ratnagiri?

By Milind Mane

Mahad : With defections accelerating post Lok Sabha and Assembly election defeats, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) is staring at a serious crisis in the Konkan belt—especially in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. If sources are to be believed, by May 30, many of the remaining local leaders may switch to the NCP (Ajit Pawar group) or the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Only a united opposition under Uddhav’s leadership can stabilize the party in the region, say worried party loyalists.

Steady Defections, Sinking Morale

After the double blow of losing both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections across Konkan—barring Bhaskar Jadhav’s win in Guhagar—Shiv Sena (UBT) has seen a steady stream of leaders deserting the party. Former MLAs, district chiefs, and taluka heads have either defected or are in advanced talks with rival camps. According to grassroots Shiv Sainiks, the leadership has remained oblivious to the situation brewing in the interiors of Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

Power and Persuasion: Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and BJP’s Combined Push

The ruling trio—Shinde Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and BJP—has mounted a coordinated effort to draw Uddhav’s remaining cadre and leadership into their fold. The carrot being dangled: government power, financial incentives, and promises of positions. With little support from Matoshree, local leaders feel abandoned, while ordinary Shiv Sainiks are left directionless.

Wrong Appointments, Widening Rifts

Instead of learning from setbacks, the party leadership has added fuel to the fire by making controversial appointments post-elections. Newly installed district and taluka heads, picked without local consultation, have only deepened discontent. A glaring example: Roha’s taluka chief, Sameer Shedge, recently joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP, citing dissatisfaction with Uddhav Sena’s internal functioning.

Countdown to May 30: Is a Mass Exit Inevitable?

In South Raigad alone, whispers of more exits are growing louder, with May 30 seen as a potential tipping point. According to internal chatter, both Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Shinde Sena are aggressively targeting office bearers with lucrative offers, and the lack of resources in UBT’s rank-and-file makes resistance difficult. Ordinary Shiv Sainiks remain loyal—but loyalty without funding or organizational support cannot win elections.

Can the Damage Be Controlled?

The Uddhav Sena is reportedly planning a “Sambark Abhiyan” in the Konkan soon, but insiders warn that unless the campaign is backed by real financial support and a course correction at Matoshree, it may be too little too late. Veteran Sainiks urge the leadership to listen to ground-level workers and address their frustrations before it’s irreversible.

Unity With Raj Thackeray: The Only Hope?

A potential alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS is being whispered as a last-ditch solution to energize demoralized cadres. If the Thackeray cousins join forces, say party loyalists, it might bring back the fire Shiv Sena once had. Until then, however, defections are likely to continue, and the dream of a ‘Balasaheb-style’ resurgence remains distant.