Eknath Shinde’s “trailer” remark and Sanjay Raut’s loyalty swipe have escalated the Operation Tiger row as questions grow over the future of six absent Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs.
Eknath Shinde hinted at more political developments while Sanjay Raut responded with a cryptic loyalty message amid speculation over absent Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs. | IANS
Fresh political tensions surfaced between the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday as speculation over the alleged ‘Operation Tiger’ operation gathered pace, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hinting at more developments and senior UBT leader Sanjay Raut responding with a cryptic social media post.
The exchange comes at a time when speculation is growing over the future of several Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarians after six MPs skipped a party meeting in New Delhi, triggering rumours of another split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
Advertisement
Speaking at the Shiv Sena’s 60th foundation day event on Friday evening, Shinde suggested that recent developments were only the beginning.
Advertisement
“Everyone is looking toward us, wondering what Eknath Shinde will say and who will come onto the stage. This is just the trailer; the full picture is yet to come,” he said.
Without naming Uddhav Thackeray directly in parts of his speech, Shinde accused those who moved away from Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology of paying a political price.
“The Shiv Sena is an ideology; it is not just a political party, it is like a saffron cloud. Those who forgot the saffron ideology suffered losses. You forgot Balasaheb’s ideology for the sake of a chair,” he said.
The remarks came against the backdrop of the ‘Operation Tiger’ chatter that intensified after six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs failed to attend a party meeting despite a whip being issued.
The absent MPs were Sanjay Jadhav, Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant, Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Raut attended the meeting.
A day after Shinde’s remarks, Raut posted an infographic carrying the message: “Kuch log Kuttey toh hoty hain Lekin wafa’daar Nahi hoty” (Some are dogs, but they are not loyal).
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP accompanied the post with the caption: “Jai Maharashtra!”
जय महाराष्ट्र ! pic.twitter.com/nYaiVHLv7M
— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) June 20, 2026
Raut’s post came amid continuing accusations and counter-accusations between the rival Sena factions.
Earlier this week, he announced that show-cause notices had been issued to the six absent MPs and said efforts would be made to seek their disqualification.
“The process for taking action has started,” Raut said.
“We will make every effort to get them disqualified. If the Speaker of the Lok Sabha works according to the rules, the law, and the Supreme Court’s directives, these people will be disqualified.”
The controversy gathered pace after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six UBT MPs had expressed confidence in Shinde and joined his faction.
The claims have added to concerns within the Uddhav Thackeray camp about a possible second split in the party after the dramatic 2022 rebellion led by Shinde.
Addressing party workers on Friday, Uddhav Thackeray rejected allegations against him and dismissed speculation about a merger between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress.
He also targeted the BJP and Eknath Shinde while defending his leadership.
“I will step down from my position if the allegations levelled against me are proven true,” Thackeray said.
At the same time, he asserted that he would never allow the Shiv Sena to be handed over to “any thief”.
During his foundation day address, Shinde said the Shiv Sena was founded to protect Marathi pride and support farmers, women and the Varkari community.
He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to Shinde, Balasaheb Thackeray would have appreciated the decisions taken by the current BJP leadership, including the abrogation of Article 370.
The Shiv Sena was founded by Balasaheb Thackeray on June 19, 1966. The party witnessed a major political rupture in 2022 when Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, eventually resulting in the Election Commission recognising the Shinde-led faction as the official Shiv Sena.
Advertisement
