In a notable political shift in Maharashtra, Anand Dubey, who previously served as the national spokesperson for the Uddhav Thackeray faction, has officially switched allegiance to join the rival Shiv Sena camp led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Dubey had earlier severed all ties with his former party by resigning from both his official position and primary membership. The formal induction took place on Friday in the presence of Eknath Shinde, where Dubey embraced the ruling faction along with a large group of his supporters and associates.
Ideological Departure and Sharp Criticisms
Prior to making the switch, Dubey had openly criticized the leadership of his former party, claiming that it had strayed far away from its core Hindutva principles and the foundational ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray. He made it clear that participating in protests alongside Congress and CJP was completely unacceptable to him. Taking a jibe at the ideological alignment, he remarked that the issue was not about stolen votes, but rather stolen intellect. Dubey explicitly stated that individuals like Dhruv Rathee, Sharjeel Imam, and Umar Khalid could never be his idols, and he refused to work alongside such figures. Explaining his decision to walk away, he used a metaphor involving a train, stating that he preferred to step off the platform because cockroaches had infested the compartment he was travelling in.
Induction of Supporters and Youth Leaders
The joining ceremony witnessed multiple grassroots figures and youth leaders stepping into the party fold alongside Dubey. According to the official statement issued by the party, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally welcomed Dubey and his companions, wishing them success in their political journey ahead. Among those who took the party flag alongside Dubey were Gulabchand Dubey, Sunil Choubey, Brijesh Maurya, Dashrath Prajapati, Praveen Dubey, and Dhananjay Gupta. Furthermore, several members associated with the Yuva Sena wing of the UBT faction, including Imran Shaikh, Salauddin, Irfan Shaikh, Shiran Shaikh, and Aleem Shaikh, also officially transitioned to the Shinde-led camp.
Upholding Original Ideology and Vision
Welcoming the new entrants, the party highlighted that Dubey has now aligned himself with an organization that strictly follows the teachings and vision of Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. Emphasizing the core principle of nation first, the leadership noted that Dubey is committed to carrying forward this exact nationalist ideology. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that Dubey will dedicate his efforts toward strengthening and advancing the genuine ideological path of the party in the times to come.
