New Delhi: Political tremors are rattling Maharashtra’s Shiv Sena as reports suggest a mass shifting from Uddhav Thackeray’s (UBT) faction to Eknath Shinde’s camp. Gossips in political circles suggest that several key figures, including MPs, and MLAs are poised to defect, potentially giving a major blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
Sources close to the situation claim that at least five MPs and seven MLAs from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena are actively engaging with Shinde’s faction, a move described as “Operation Tiger” aimed at weakening Uddhav Thackeray’s position. This alleged operation is reportedly spearheaded by a cabinet minister considered a trusted confidante of Eknath Shinde.
Kiran Pawaskar, Chief Spokesperson for the Shinde faction, confirmed these discussions, asserting that several senior leaders from Uddhav Thackeray’s party are seeking to join Shinde’s camp due to a “loss of faith in Thackeray’s leadership”.
“These leaders wish to join Eknath Shinde’s faction and accept his leadership. They no longer have faith in Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership,” he said.
Pawaskar hinted at a significant upcoming shift, comparing the impending change to a “tiger” or “lion” and dismissing criticism from Uddhav Thackeray’s mouthpiece, Saamana, as irrelevant. He vehemently denied any possibility of reunification between the two Shiv Sena factions.
“There is definitely an operation. Whether it’s a tiger or a lion, you will find out. As for the criticism from Saamana about Eknath Shinde, who even cares about Saamana anymore? It has lost its readership and credibility,” Pawaskar said.
On the other hand, Bhaskar Jadhav, representing Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, countered these claims, asserting that if Shinde’s camp needs “Operation Tiger” to weaken Uddhav Thackeray, it indicates Uddhav Thackeray remains a powerful figure. “After all the efforts to break Shiv Sena, if they still need to run Operation Tiger to weaken Uddhav Thackeray, it means Uddhav Ji is still the tiger, and he will remain the tiger.”
Jadhav chose not to directly address the reports of defections, reaffirming his confidence in Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership and comparing him to a tiger. Jadhav added, “I won’t comment on who will join and who won’t. I can only say, Uddhav Ji is the tiger.”
