Who Is Sachin Ahir? Maharashtra MLC and Aaditya Thackeray’s Close Aide Joins Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena
Who is Sachin Ahir? The senior Maharashtra politician and former Aaditya Thackeray loyalist has joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and filed his nomination for Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairman. A three-time MLA, former minister and labour union leader, Ahir's switch is seen as a significant political setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, especially in Mumbai's Worli constituency.
Senior Maharashtra politician Sachin Ahir has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, marking another setback for Uddhav Thackeray's faction. Ahir, considered one of Thackeray's close associates and a sitting Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC), has also filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
His move comes within weeks of a series of political developments involving the two Shiv Sena factions and is being viewed as a significant organisational loss for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, particularly in Mumbai's Worli constituency, where Ahir has maintained a strong political presence for years. 'No Receipt or Update From Trust': Sanjay Raut Claims 4-Kg Silver Brick Donated by Shiv Sena (UBT) to Ayodhya Ram Mandir Is Missing.
Why Did Sachin Ahir Leave Uddhav Thackeray's Camp?
According to party sources, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena had been trying to persuade Ahir to switch sides for the past several days. Following the induction of former MP Sanjay Dina Patil into the Shinde camp, Ahir is understood to have decided to make the move.
Sources said he was assured an opportunity to contest for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, after which he joined the Shinde faction and filed his nomination. Sanjay Raut Says Shiv Sena (UBT) Remains Strong Despite Split, Backs Aaditya Thackeray for Bigger Leadership Role.
Why His Exit Matters
Sachin Ahir has long been regarded as one of the key organisational leaders in Mumbai, especially in Worli. Apart from his political network, he has also been active in labour unions and local organisations, giving him considerable influence in the constituency.
His departure is expected to affect the organisational strength of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in Worli, a constituency represented by Aaditya Thackeray.
Ahir was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 2022 on a ticket from the undivided Shiv Sena. Before that, he had joined Shiv Sena on July 25, 2019, after leaving the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He was later appointed as Shiv Sena Deputy Leader by Uddhav Thackeray in 2020.
Who Is Sachin Ahir?
Born on March 21, 1972, Sachin Ahir is a veteran Mumbai politician known for his work in labour unions, local politics and public events. He and his wife run the Shri Sankalp Pratishthan, an organisation known for organising one of Mumbai's prominent Dahi Handi festivals. The organisation also conducts several community welfare programmes, particularly in the Worli area.
Ahir began his public career in 1993 with the Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh. After serving as secretary, he later became its president and went on to lead the Maharashtra State Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh from 1996 onwards.
During his tenure in labour organisations at Mazagon Dock and Mahindra & Mahindra, he played a role in negotiating wage agreements for workers, gaining recognition across Mumbai's mill belt.
Political Career
Sachin Ahir was associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from 1999 to 2019 and was elected as an MLA from Worli three consecutive times in 1999, 2004 and 2009. In 2009, he served as Maharashtra's Minister of State for Housing.
He joined Shiv Sena in July 2019 after leaving the NCP and later became one of Uddhav Thackeray's trusted leaders. In 2022, he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council on a Shiv Sena ticket.
After joining the Shiv Sena, Ahir vacated the political space in the Worli Assembly constituency to support Aaditya Thackeray's electoral debut. He also played an organisational role during the 2024 Assembly election, when Aaditya Thackeray retained the seat despite challenges from Milind Deora and Sandeep Deshpande.
Sachin Ahir is the nephew of underworld figure Arun Gawli. He is the son of Ashalata Gawli, Arun Gawli's sister, and Mohan Gangaram Bania (also known as Ahir), who worked as a loader with Air India.
Despite frequent public references to his family background, Ahir's political career has largely been defined by his work in labour organisations, electoral politics and public life in Mumbai.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 04:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).