Union Minister and leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Prataprao Jadhav, on Friday claimed that MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena are “not being treated well” and may eventually switch sides to join the Shinde faction.
However, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his son, MP Shrikant Shinde, denied any attempt to poach MPs from the Thackeray camp under the alleged ‘Operation Tiger’.
Jadhav said that not only MPs but also MLAs from the Thackeray faction are dissatisfied. “They had complaints earlier, and the same concerns are being raised even today. They share their grievances with us. They are all our friends. When Eknath Shinde decides, the next step will be taken,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of a recent meeting involving Thackeray MPs in the presence of Shinde. “No such meeting took place. However, at some point, these MPs will come to us. Our friends are unhappy, and we advise them not to tolerate too much. Everyone is waiting to take the next step. It is bound to happen sooner or later,” Jadhav added.
Despite these denials, political circles are abuzz with speculation that a meeting allegedly took place on Wednesday at the Voltas premises in Thane between Eknath Shinde and several Thackeray MPs. Both Shinde and his son have firmly denied any such meeting.
Sources claim that six MPs from the Thackeray faction met Shinde after being in contact for nearly six months. However, leaders from the Thackeray camp have rejected these claims.
Some sources, speaking off the record, alleged that MPs including Arvind Sawant, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, while others, including Omraje Nimbalkar, joined via video conferencing.
It is further alleged that these MPs expressed willingness to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Reports also suggested that eight out of nine Thackeray MPs—excluding Anil Desai—were present, along with Shrikant Shinde.
According to sources, the Shinde faction requires the support of at least six of the nine Thackeray MPs to make ‘Operation Tiger’ viable and avoid disqualification under the Anti-Defection Act. Efforts to secure this support have reportedly intensified in recent days.
Meanwhile, some leaders from the Thackeray camp, speaking off the record, admitted that a few MPs may be willing to switch sides, while others are allegedly under pressure to do so.
Publicly, however, Thackeray MPs have strongly denied these claims. Omraje Nimbalkar and Arvind Sawant both refuted reports of any such meeting. “No matter what happens, I will not join Shinde,” Sawant said. Nimbalkar added, “These rumours have persisted for a long time. I will not comment on baseless reports. If such a meeting took place, evidence should be presented.”
Reaffirming his loyalty, Sawant said, “I am a Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray. I will remain loyal under any circumstances. Uddhav Thackeray made me an MP, and I will not betray him.”
Other MPs also issued categorical denials. Sanjay Deshmukh said he neither attended nor was invited to any such meeting. Nagesh Patil Ashtikar stated that he was not aware of any such development and termed the reports baseless.
Sanjay Jadhav said he had been in Pune for the past two days and had no involvement in any meeting. Rajabhau Waje also denied any contact or discussions, asserting that he would continue to serve as an MP of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.
Despite firm denials from both sides, speculation around ‘Operation Tiger’ continues to fuel political debate in Maharashtra.