Overview

• Shiv Sena (UBT) on June 4 expelled Sudhakar Badgujar, its Nashik deputy leader, for “anti-party” activities after he met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and criticised party decisions.
• Former Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha candidate Chandrahar Patil has indicated he will join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on June 9, marking another blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s ranks.
• Talks for a potential alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s MNS have gained traction, with Aaditya Thackeray signalling openness and MNS leaders calling for direct engagement.
• Senior BJP minister Girish Mahajan criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut as a “broker” undermining Uddhav Thackeray’s organisation, reflecting broader UBT infighting.
• A BJP internal survey finds that even a Thackeray-MNS tie-up is unlikely to dent the party’s support in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, reinforcing its preparations to contest up to 150 seats.