After days of speculation and political unrest within the Shiv Sena (UBT), six Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Monday in Mumbai, marking a major setback for the Uddhav Thackeray faction and intensifying the ongoing political battle in Maharashtra.
MPs Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchwar, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Baburao Patil Ashtekar were formally inducted into the party in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In a press conference, Shinde said he was not leaving anything half-done and that “Operation Tiger is a success.”
He said that this step was completed in line with constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures, stressing that the representatives joined the party for governance that focuses on development and the work of constituencies.
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“I also want to tell journalists that no matter what you were running around this like Operation Tiger, etc., yesterday I also told you that I am not leaving anything half-finished. And all this is before you today. And this Operation Tiger is successful before you. All these six MPs have been inducted into our party as per the rule, constitution and parliamentary rules,” Shinde said.
“When I was the Prime Minister, I behaved like a worker, and even today I am working like a worker. I want to tell all these six MPs that they will also have to behave like common workers, and we will show respect to everyone with them as well. I assure you that your faith in coming with us will remain intact. I assure you personally. Our ministers will sit with you and solve the problems of your constituencies. I will also take the initiative to solve your problems at the center level,” he added.
Shinde said the MPs joined the party to develop their constituencies and not for personal gain.
“Today we welcome all these six MPs from Kathar Shivsainiks to the original Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. In 2022, we staged a revolution when 40 MLAs joined us, and that was to save the Shiv Sena from Balasaheb. This is the second phase of the same movement. We are here to preserve the ideology of the Shiv Sena and Balasaheb, and that is why these MPs decided to come to the original Shiv Sena,” Shinde said.
Also Read: A look back at the Shiv Sena’s 60-year political journey: Bal Thackeray’s rise, Uddhav’s rise to power and then the split
Sena leaders, led by Shinde, welcome the move
Ruling party leaders hailed the move as a sign of growing support for its leadership, while opposition figures and party voices intensified their criticism, calling it a setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp and raising allegations of political inducements and shifting loyalties.
Maharashtra Minister Dadaji Bose said, “We have seen the way Eknath Shinde is taking the state forward, he is concerned about every worker…We welcome workers who want to join Shiv Sena…”
Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said the recent joining of six UBT MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena reflects the growing support for the party’s development agenda.
He also claimed that another MP showed interest but later backed out of the cabinet appointment request.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Kadam said: “In 2022, there were 40 MLAs, including 10 ministers, and Eknath Shinde pledged that I will bring them all back. He succeeded in getting 60 MLAs and till today six MLAs have joined us to support development in their constituencies. I welcome them. A seventh MLA also signed the paper but demanded a ministerial post which Eknath Shinde rejected. He came back after that… I won’t name him but he is sitting next to Uddhav Thackeray.”
Shiv Sena national spokesperson Shaina NC said UBT needs to think about why MLAs, MPs and corporators are unhappy with them.
“If they (UBT) engage in some introspection, they will find the answers. The party has split six times. The Constitution provides an opportunity, specifically, the merger clause under the anti-defection law. The MPs who are joining today are doing so because Eknath Shinde is a mass leader, he works on the ground, respects his party workers, and is a visionary who is truly committed to the development of Maharashtra,” Shaina said.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Maske said, “Operation Tiger is a success. Critics will always criticize. Let people say what they want. What else do they have? Ask the MPs themselves, what is the reason? They are talking about it.” $No. 50 Crores. They curse in the morning and bow at their feet in the evening…”
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he would soon give his side on the ongoing political developments within the party, as the organization faces a major setback.
Speaking briefly to the media, Thackeray refrained from making detailed comments on the rebellion but indicated that the party would respond in due course. “When I feel the time is right, I will call the media and talk to you. Let them present their side. We will present our side soon as well,” Thackeray said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also launched a strong attack on the rebel party’s MPs and also criticized Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In a post on X, Raut described the party’s rebels as “traitors”.
“…Chitragupta has started taking stock of their sins! Their next generation will say: ‘My father was a traitor, my husband was a traitor, my grandfather was a traitor,'” he claimed in the post.
Congress leader Tariq Anwar claimed that this trend has been going on for several years.
“Markets for MPs and MPs are set up much like cattle markets; whoever has power or money buys them. The BJP is engaged in this activity now, just as it was in the past. In many states where they lacked a popular mandate, they are still forming governments through such bargains… If he (Uddhav Thackeray) succeeds in convincing people that this is sponsored by the BJP and aims to weaken Maharashtra and the country’s democracy – after all Opposition parties in this way, what will remain of the opposition? Then it might work.”
Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi said: “Where did this name Tiger come from? This is the work of thieves working in the shadows… This is a betrayal of people who voted for an ideology. Those who leave the party should resign first and then go after the elections. Here, the money game is being played, and democracy is being killed.”
The Shiv Sena split in 2022 when Eknath Shinde broke away from a large group of MLAs, continuing the battle over party identity and political control in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena (UBT) had nine MPs in the Lok Sabha. The parliamentary party meeting called by the Shiv Sena (UBT) last week was attended by three Lok Sabha MPs. The party said it had initiated disciplinary measures against the six rebellious MPs.
The rebellion sparked a sharp war of words between the two factions. While Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders accused the dissident MPs of betraying the party’s ideology and mandate, leaders of the Shinde faction maintained that the legislators joined them because of confidence in Shinde’s leadership and dissatisfaction with the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp.
