Special report: A greater battle for Shi Sena is beginning in Mahrashtra

New Delhi: Eknath Shinde has bitten off the larger chunk of Shiv Sena—he wouldn't go easy on it.

Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is left with just 15 out of the total 55 lawmakers, thus Shinde gaining a free run of the Shiv Sena.

Thackeray, who inherited Shiv Sena from his kingly father Bal Thackeray, is on a slippery slope—where he is increasingly facing threats of remaining lawmaker crossing over to the ruling camp.

Uddhav Thackeray is still strong not in terms of MLA numbers though, holding the party's name, election symbol, MPs and at least a few MLAs, administration of BMC and other corporations, national executive, and office bearers affiliate wings for traders, sena offices incuding Sena Bhawan and funds, according to India Today.

The fate of Uddhav-camp MLAs is largely uncertain, because Shinde camp might get back to Uddav favouring lawmakers with the sword of disqualification, which was the main weapon in the armoury of Uddhav Thackeray during the crisis.

Shinde camp reportedly earlier said that since all MLAs were elected in the same party symbol those not backing Eknath administration during floor test will face disqualification, according to the report.

Having said that, Shinde cannot "automatically" take over the party, claiming its name and symbol which only the Election Commission of India (ECI) can decide.

Shinde, reportedly, plans to call his faction after Bal Thackeray as Shiv Sena Balasaheb Thackeray which Uddhav Thackeray strongly opposed on the grounds that he is still the party president.

Uddhav Thackeray can still boast of his number of MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—19 and 3 respectively, which is again increasingly face of defection as the Shinde camp is in touch with them.

The Thackerays are also trying to keep the remainder of their flock together. But many more MPs may switch sides, according to India Today.

Many these MPs are not happy with Uddhav's compromise on Hindutva ideology by allying with the Congress and the NCP, which was the premises Shinde built up his camp by taking away ideologically disappointed lawmakers.

Shiv Sena MPs are likely to rue Uddhav's decision to go with the Congress and the NCP; and they will not be ready for seat-sharing arraignments with them in the 2024 national polls.

Having lost power to Shinde and possessing fewer MLAs, Uddhav Thackeray cannot walk out on Congress and the NCP, breaking away the alliance.

Back in 2019 parliamentary polls, Shiv Sena-BJP alliance won 41 of the 48 seats. Many Sena MPs know only too well that it is unlikely to repeat again if Uddhav Thackery continues to work with the Congress and the NCP.

Reports say that MPs and MLAs of Uddhav are urging him to back NDA's presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu, a sign that tells a lot about where their affinity lies.

When it comes to BMC, Shiv Sena has been controlling India's richest municipal corporation since 1997—however the Shiv Sena and the BJP have 84 and 82 members, respectively.

It is too close to call who will eventually walk away with the municipal corporation in the future.

Shiv Sena is facing a real threat here too, just as the next Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election is to happen in October-November.

As Shinde has eaten into the party, Uddhav Thackeray will have to sweat a lot to maintain the power.

There will be 236 seats to go to polls this time with the rivals camps' margin appear to be wafer-thin; one question emerging is how Shinde's rebellion will impact the BMC polls, according to India today.

It is all about which camp can work up better strategy and convince potential counsellors to switch sides.

Shinde has only a couple of lawmakers hailing from Mumbai, and it is not certain how far his influence can run.

Aaditya Thackeray, according to India, is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the Sena's victory in the BMC election.