India, July 1 -- Days after the defection of six of its MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) received yet another jolt on Tuesday when its MLC Sachin Ahir also joined the ranks of the defectors. Ahir, a prominent trade union leader and former MLA from Worli, was a close aide of Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. Shinde has fielded Ahir for the legislative council's deputy chairperson poll scheduled for Wednesday.

Ahir's defection has come as a huge shock for the Thackeray faction. With him out of the party, the next assembly election could be tough for Aaditya, current MLA from Worli-Ahir was elected from there in 2009 and has a significant following in the area. Shinde is said to be likely to fiel...