Big Setback for Raj Thackeray: Rajabhau Chaughule and Several MNS Members Join Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Ahead of civic elections in Maharashtra, Rajabhau Chaughule along with several MNS workers quits Raj Thackeray’s party to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, delivering a major political blow.

January 6, 2026 | Mumbai – Maharashtra politics witnessed another significant shift as Rajabhau Chaughule along with several Maharashtra Navnirman Sena members formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, dealing a major setback to Raj Thackeray. The development, reported on January 6, 2026, comes at a crucial time when political parties are preparing intensely for upcoming municipal and local body elections across the state.

The induction ceremony took place in the presence of senior leaders from the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, who welcomed the new entrants and described the move as a sign of growing confidence in Eknath Shinde’s leadership. Party leaders said that workers from different political backgrounds are increasingly aligning with the Shiv Sena due to its focus on governance, development, and organisational stability.

Rajabhau Chaughule is considered a prominent face within the MNS at the local level, and his departure is being seen as a symbolic and organisational loss for Raj Thackeray’s party. Along with him, several active workers and office bearers also switched sides, which is expected to impact the MNS’s grassroots strength in the region.

Leaders who joined the Shiv Sena stated that they felt the need to associate with a party that is directly involved in governance and capable of delivering results on the ground. They claimed that under Eknath Shinde’s leadership, the Shiv Sena has provided opportunities to workers to contribute meaningfully to development and public service.

The Shiv Sena leadership asserted that such inductions are strengthening the party ahead of civic elections. They emphasised that the party’s role in the Mahayuti alliance and its coordination with the state government have enabled faster implementation of development projects, which is attracting leaders and workers from other parties.

Political analysts view this development as part of a broader trend of realignments in Maharashtra politics, particularly at the ward and local leadership level. They note that municipal elections often witness such shifts, as leaders assess their prospects based on organisational strength, access to resources, and electoral viability.

The MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, has faced challenges in retaining its cadre in recent times, especially with multiple parties competing for the Marathi vote base. Analysts point out that defections of known faces like Rajabhau Chaughule can affect morale among workers and complicate election planning.

Opposition leaders have criticised the Shiv Sena and the ruling alliance, accusing them of encouraging defections through power and influence. They argued that such moves weaken ideological politics and reduce elections to opportunistic calculations. However, the Shinde faction has rejected these allegations, stating that leaders are joining voluntarily after evaluating public sentiment and governance performance.

Public reaction to the development has been mixed. While some voters see such switches as pragmatic decisions aimed at development, others express disappointment over frequent party hopping. Many citizens, however, maintain that their voting decisions will depend on candidate credibility and local work rather than party affiliations alone.

As of January 6, 2026, the entry of Rajabhau Chaughule and several MNS members into the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has clearly altered political equations, especially ahead of civic elections. The move is being closely watched for its potential ripple effects within the MNS and the broader opposition space.

With campaigning set to intensify in the coming weeks, further political movements cannot be ruled out. For now, this defection marks a notable moment in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape, reinforcing the Shiv Sena Shinde faction’s narrative of growth while posing fresh challenges for Raj Thackeray’s party.

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