MUMBAI: There is speculation that eight Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs held a confidential meeting with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss ‘Operation Tiger’.
Sources in Shiv Sena claimed that Shinde is attempting to bring Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to his side to strengthen his position in the Supreme Court, where the dispute over the Shiv Sena party name and symbol is being heard.
“Shinde wants to show in court that his Sena is the real Sena and that he has the majority of Lok Sabha MPs along with MLAs. Therefore, this Operation Tiger was initiated. Under this operation, Shinde and his son, Shrikant Shinde, are trying to lure Uddhav Thackeray’s elected representatives with lucrative offers. Meetings in Delhi and Thane were held to plan how and when this operation should be executed,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
The source added that interactions with Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs took place both online and offline. “If Operation Tiger succeeds, Shinde will emerge as a key ally of the BJP in Delhi and Maharashtra. This will also strengthen the BJP’s position in the Lok Sabha,” the source said.
However, Shinde denied holding any such meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs.
Meanwhile, some leaders from his camp claimed that several MPs and MLAs from the UBT faction are in touch and are open to joining the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said that leaders from the UBT faction are indeed in contact and willing to switch sides.
“The final decision will be taken by Eknath Shinde. Those with Uddhav Thackeray are unhappy due to lack of strong leadership, and no one wants to remain in the opposition,” he claimed.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant dismissed the reports, calling them an attempt to create confusion.
“We are firmly with Uddhav Thackeray and will remain loyal. We will not abandon our leadership,” he said.