Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday welcomed six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs into his faction, declaring “Operation Tiger” complete and describing the defectors as grassroots leaders committed to the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
The development marks the most significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led party since the 2022 split that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and propelled Shinde to the chief minister’s post.
The six MPs who crossed over are Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli), Omprakash Rajenimbalkar (Dharashiv) and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi). They formally joined the ruling Shiv Sena at a function in Mumbai attended by senior party leaders.
Defections weaken Thackeray camp
The move comes days after the six MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting convened by Shiv Sena (UBT) in New Delhi. Their exit leaves the Thackeray faction with only three Lok Sabha MPs from the nine seats it won in Maharashtra in the 2024 general election.
Addressing reporters, Shinde said the MPs had joined the “original Shiv Sena” and asserted that the latest rebellion represented the second phase of the party’s expansion.
Also read: Shiv Sena turns 60: Two factions face existential crisis
“These MPs are connected to the ground. My operations are foolproof,” he said, adding that all six would contest future elections on the Shiv Sena symbol.
The defections are expected to enhance Shinde’s bargaining power within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP.
War of words intensifies
Shinde also took a swipe at leaders of the rival faction, urging them to introspect instead of criticising defectors. He assured the rebel MPs that there would be no shortage of funds for development works in their constituencies.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut hit back sharply, accusing Shinde of nurturing “traitors” and mocking the operation. The exchange further escalated the political confrontation between the two Sena factions.
The latest defections underline the continuing realignment within Maharashtra politics and deepen the organisational crisis confronting the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
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