Mumbai: ‘Operation Tiger’ Just A Trailer, Says Shinde
In an apparent reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs switching allegiance, Mr. Shinde said he could not be blamed if legislators and parliamentarians chose to leave their own party and leadership: Reports
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Friday hinted at further political realignments in the state. Using the party’s 60th Foundation Day celebrations to send a strong message to rival Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, he said “Operation Tiger” was only a trailer.
Addressing party workers and leaders at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon, Mr. Shinde said that after “Operation Tiger”, many “dogs” had started barking. “A tiger is born to hunt and walk alone, unlike sheep that move in herds. The tiger will continue to hunt in the future as well. It will not be deterred by the barking of dogs. Picture abhi baki hai,” he said.
In an apparent reference to Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs switching allegiance, Mr. Shinde said he could not be blamed if legislators and parliamentarians chose to leave their own party and leadership.
The Shiv Sena celebrated its diamond jubilee with parallel events in Mumbai. While Shinde’s faction held its programme at the NESCO Centre at Goregaon, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) organised a separate function at Shanmukhananda Hall.
Taking a swipe at Mr. Thackeray’s recent remark that “those who want to leave are free to go”, Mr. Shinde said the former Chief Minister was becoming increasingly arrogant. He further claimed that only sycophants remained around the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief.
Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s threats to rebel MPs, Mr. Shinde recalled the political crisis of 2022, when he rebelled against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and faced similar threats. “If you have courage, come and face us. Our Shiv Sainiks will respond,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the ruling alliance’s prospects, Shinde asserted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi would fail to win a single seat in the forthcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.
Recalling the party’s origins, he said Shiv Sena was founded six decades ago to protect the interests of Marathi-speaking people and remained committed to the causes of Marathi pride and Hindutva. He said he had fulfilled the dream of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray and had worked to expand the organisation across Maharashtra and has emerged as the second-largest force in several recent elections. “I had no Godfather, just a power called Balasaheb was behind me. This power made me Chief Minister from the post of mere Shakha pramukh,” he said.
Shinde’s remarks are expected to intensify political speculation in Maharashtra amid growing buzz over further possible defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT). While no formal announcement was made at the event, his repeated references to a larger political “picture” yet to unfold have fuelled expectations of fresh political shifts in the coming weeks.
