MUMBAI: In a fresh and major setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT), its MLC Sachin Ahir on Tuesday filed his nomination for election to the post of deputy chairperson of the legislative council from Dy CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, effectively switching over to the Shinde-led party. A former MLA from Aaditya Thackeray’s Worli assembly constituency, Ahir was considered close to Aaditya.Ahir was earlier an NCP MLA from Worli and had joined the undivided Shiv Sena before the 2019 assembly polls. Sena (UBT) MLC JM Abhyankar filed his nomination as MVA nominee for the council deputy chairperson’s post. The poll will be held on Wednesday, but the Mahayuti with its numbers is expected to win easily.With Ahir leaving, Sena (UBT) is left with just 5 MLCs in the council. Legislature officials said the nomination for the deputy chairperson’s poll is not filed through any political party, so it would not attract the anti-defection law. Officials also said Ahir was elected as MLC of the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, so he could not be disqualified now.Shinde said last week six (UBT Sena) MPs had come to the Sena “and hit sixes, and now Sachin Ahir has hit sixes.” “Some people went to the constituencies of the 6 MPs. Sachin Ahir welcomed them by hitting sixes. Fours and sixes will continue and the wickets will keep falling,” Shinde said.Ahir filed his nomination in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Dy CMs Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, among others.Hitting back, Aaditya said this is not ‘Operation Tiger’ but ‘Operation Devendra Fadnavis’. “Those to whom we gave everything, they left for selfish reasons,” he said. Ahir also resigned as president of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, Sena (UBT) workers’ union.Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve claimed Ahir sent him a message on Tuesday morning just before switching over. “I have taken this decision for my political survival. I have no background in politics and my work is my only proof,” Ahir’s message stated, Danve claimed.Aaditya said, “We have been seeing this for four years... There is nothing new in this and it does not shock us at all. Worli-Sewri was and will remain Shiv Sena’s (UBT) stronghold. Our work there speaks for itself. Therefore, no matter who joins or leaves the party, our stronghold will not be shaken.”He further said, “The only unfortunate thing is that those to whom we gave so much, what more do they want? He cannot even say Aaditya Thackeray did not meet him. He himself is an MLC, his daughter was given the post of ward committee member. He was also given the post of deputy leader in Shiv Sena (UBT). So what more do you want? Should we now perform your ‘aarti’ every day? Shiv Sena (UBT) does not care if someone leaves.”Shinde said, “This (Ahir’s) nomination has been filed by Mahayuti, which is in a majority. Therefore, Sachin Ahir will be elected as deputy chairperson. He will work to provide justice not only in Mumbai but also in Maharashtra in this role. With the arrival of Sachin Ahir, the strength of Shiv Sena has also increased. Shiv Sena is a party of workers. There is no doubt that Sachin Ahir will do a great job. I welcome him wholeheartedly.”Ahir said he would respond at the right time and from the right platform to the barbs hurled at him from Sena (UBT). “As long as we were together, I was good. It is unfortunate some people are now trying to tell me how worthless I am when we are separated. I will comment on it from a different political platform,” he said.Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said, “Sachin Ahir is a genuine Shiv Sainik. He has not switched sides but has joined Shiv Sena. We have again seen the discontent in Sena (UBT). There was an attempt to suppress Ahir there.”