Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 22: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched an outreach programme amid a fresh political crisis triggered by defections from his party, asserting that there can be only one Shiv Sena as its legacy was built on protecting the rights of Marathi people.
“Shiv Sena’s political legacy was built around protecting the rights of Marathi people and there could be only one Shiv Sena. In 2024, we fought against the alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and still won with people’s support. Now, by defecting for power and money, these MPs have betrayed the party and the people,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray began his outreach campaign from the North East Mumbai parliamentary constituency, represented by defected MP Sanjay Dina Patil, on Sunday evening.
The rebellion within Shiv Sena (UBT) has deepened the challenges for the Thackeray-led faction, with two of its six Lok Sabha MPs formally announcing their decision to join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
The move has dealt a major setback to Shiv Sena (UBT) and is being seen as a possible precursor to more defections.
Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar decided to switch sides after earlier stating that he would take a call following the verdict in the murder case of his father Pawanraje Nimbalkar. Hingoli MP Nagesh Ashtikar announced his decision through a Facebook Live session.
The developments came after a sessions court acquitted all accused in the Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case on Saturday, following which Thackeray made a final attempt to convince Omraje Nimbalkar to remain with Shiv Sena (UBT).
‘Operation Tiger’ intensifies
The defections are being linked to the Shinde faction’s reported strategy named “Operation Tiger”, which was planned after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections and later activated following political developments in Parliament.
According to reports, Eknath Shinde and his son Shrikant Shinde, Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan, reportedly worked to convince the BJP leadership that the Sena faction could strengthen its position by bringing Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders into its fold.
The Shinde-led faction is reportedly aiming for a larger crossover, with claims that several Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators in Mumbai are considering joining the rival camp.
Focus shifts to BMC
The political battle has now moved towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), where the Shinde faction has claimed that around 45 Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators are interested in switching sides.
Shiv Sena leader Amey Ghole claimed that the number could reach 45, which would represent the two-thirds strength required to avoid disqualification under anti-defection provisions.
“Not 25, but at least 45 corporators are aspiring to join us. Forty-five is the magic figure because it constitutes two-thirds of the strength. Sanjay Raut had dismissed reports of MPs defecting as rumours, but that happened eventually,” Ghole said.
The latest developments have intensified the political battle between the two Shiv Sena factions ahead of the upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra.