Shiv Sena (UBT) sought to project unity on Thursday as all nine of its Lok Sabha MPs attended a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi amid mounting political speculation over an alleged “Operation Tiger” aimed at engineering defections from the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp.
The meeting assumed significance after reports emerged suggesting that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were in touch with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction. The party responded by issuing a three-line whip directing all MPs to attend the gathering at its Parliament office.
Ahead of the meeting, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut delivered a sharp message on party loyalty.
“Jo aayenge wo hamare, nahi aayenge wo beimaan-gaddar,” he told reporters, indicating that those absent would be viewed as disloyal to the party.
Among those present were Lok Sabha leader Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Sanjay Jadhav, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Rajabhau Waje.
When asked whether all party MPs would attend, Sawant responded with a thumbs-up gesture.
Raut dismisses claims of weakening Sena
Addressing a joint press conference with Sawant, Raut rejected suggestions that the Eknath Shinde-led faction represented the original Shiv Sena.
“Since when has Shinde’s Shiv Sena become the original Shiv Sena? The original Shiv Sena is here. Jahan Thackeray wahan Shiv Sena,” he said.
Responding to reports of efforts to split the party, Raut challenged those allegedly attempting to poach MPs.
“They feel that they have done this once. I would tell them, ‘do it and show us’. Aapko nahi todenge na toh hamare baap ka naam nahi batayenge. Hamare baap ka naam Balasaheb Thackeray hai. Are you mocking democracy? Do you have so much of money? Who are you threatening with ED-CBI? Us? We have already been to jail, and we are ready to go to jail again. But I will go to jail only after teaching you a lesson,” he said.
Raut also said the party’s parliamentary procedures required such meetings and that the whip had been issued through Lok Sabha leader Arvind Sawant.
Anil Desai calls split talk media speculation
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai sought to downplay the controversy and said reports surrounding “Operation Tiger” lacked substance.
“It doesn’t hold any water, but the media has blown it out of proportion,” he said before the meeting.
Desai maintained that party MPs understood the significance of the gathering and rejected suggestions that a breakaway group was emerging.
“Whatever conjectures are being played in the media, we have already rubbished it. I don’t think that is going to happen,” he said.
According to Desai, party president Uddhav Thackeray was closely monitoring developments and remained in touch with party leaders.
“As the party president, he is very keenly keeping his eye on it. We are also in touch with him and other members are also in touch with him,” he said.
Shinde camp claims support of six MPs
Even as Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders dismissed reports of defections, the Shinde camp made fresh claims of support from within the rival faction.
Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi said six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party had expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde and joined his faction.
“Operation Tiger has taken place in Maharashtra. Today, six MPs expressed their confidence in Eknath Shinde and have joined Shiv Sena. It is good that they joined us. I welcome them,” Raghuvanshi said.
He argued that leaders seeking to work effectively for people should align with the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.
However, there was no official confirmation from Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding any split or breakaway group.
The latest round of political sparring comes against the backdrop of persistent speculation that another realignment could be underway in Maharashtra, nearly four years after the split led by Eknath Shinde reshaped the state’s political landscape.