Mumbai

Amid a rebellion by six of its Lok Sabha members, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has expelled Krushna Patil Ashtikar from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

Senior party leader Sanjay Raut announced the decision in a post on social media platform X.

“Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has sacked Krushna Nagesh Patil (Ashtikar) from the Shiv Sena (UBT) for anti-party activities,” Raut said.

Krushna Patil Ashtikar had recently been fielded by the party as its candidate from the Nanded local bodies constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

His father, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, is among six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who have rebelled against the party leadership.

Breaking his silence on the political developments, Ashtikar confirmed on Sunday that he had joined the Shiv Sena headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In a video message shared on social media, the Hingoli MP asserted that he had not abandoned his ideology.

“I have not compromised on my ideology. I have merely moved from one Shiv Sena to another,” he said.

Ashtikar also claimed that despite repeated efforts over the last two years, he was unable to secure adequate development funds for his Lok Sabha constituency.

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The rebellion has posed a fresh challenge for the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is already grappling with defections and internal dissent ahead of crucial political battles in Maharashtra.