The Shiv Sena (UBT) has officially announced Ambadas Danve, a former leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, as its candidate for the upcoming 2026 MLC elections. This decision surprised many political observers, as there was widespread speculation that Uddhav Thackeray, the party chief, would be the nominee for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. Aaditya Thackeray, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA, made the announcement, emphasizing that it was made under the guidance of Uddhav Thackeray and with the blessings of the party's founder, Bal Thackeray. Senior leader Sanjay Raut had previously indicated that Thackeray's candidacy could lead to an unopposed election, and just a day before the announcement, MLC Milind Narvekar stated that Thackeray was '99 percent' likely to be the MVA candidate. The Congress party had also communicated its support for Thackeray as the joint nominee, suggesting that if the Shiv Sena (UBT) nominated someone else, they would field their own candidate. This move raises questions about the unity within the MVA coalition and the potential for further discord among its members, particularly with the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) position still unknown.