Rebel Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray or UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar on Sunday (June 21, 2026) claimed that he and other members of the party had "not gone anywhere" until June 18, but changed their mind after certain remarks were made against them, in an apparent reference to party leader Sanjay Raut.

Coming forward for the first time since rumours began circulating on 'Operation Tiger', the Hingoli MP confirmed that he had crossed over to the Shiv Sena, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In a video clip posted on his social media handle, Mr. Ashtikar said he had not compromised on his ideology and had "just gone from one Shiv Sena to another".

He also cited the lack of development funds and other disadvantages of being in Opposition, including the inability to get party activists' work done, as important reasons for his defection.

"I, and some other MPs [of Sena-UBT], had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday (June 18, 2026), which made us believe that there is no point in staying here [in Sena-UBT]," Mr. Ashtikar said.

He clarified that he was not upset with Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray or Mr. Raut, the most vocal critic of the dissident MPs, who had used cuss words against them during a press conference.

"The work of party workers is not being done as we are not on the side of power. People elected us with a lot of expectation, and getting their work done is my job. But I was not getting any development funds. The ₹5 crore MPLAD [Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme] fund is very limited. Considering these factors, I have taken this decision," Mr. Ashtikar claimed.

Despite his best efforts in the past two years, he failed to secure funds for his Lok Sabha constituency, he said. "We need funds, and I have taken this step. I will keep working for the people, and I will complete the responsibility assigned to me by the people,'' he added.

Apparently referring to the Sena (UBT) leadership, Mr. Ashtikar said some people might be upset with him, but they would eventually understand his position. "I was left with no option,'' he said, adding that he was not compromising on his ideology.

"I have not gone anywhere. I just moved from the Shiv Sena to Shiv Sena. People can express their anger, but simultaneously, they should mind their language. I will not push anyone to come with me. But I will stand with them,'' he said.

Mr. Raut had issued a threat suggesting that rebel MPs would be thrashed by angry Shiv Sena workers in 'Operation Tudwa'. Mr. Ashtikar said Mr. Raut was also aware of the "after effects".

"Though he is a fatherly figure and can reprimand, he should understand that everyone has the capacity to reply in kind. Such incidents can take place once in a while. Even he [Raut] knows the after effects,'' he said.

Lok Sabha members Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar skipped the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17, fuelling speculation that their crossover to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena was imminent.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has nine Lok Sabha members. The dissidents can escape the anti-defection law if at least six of them defect.