MUMBAI: The six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in his presence on Monday in Mumbai. Welcoming the rebel MPs, the Shiv Sena leaders said that ‘Operation Tiger’ is accomplished.
Eknath Shinde said that the MPs’ switching over is proof of the victory of Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideas and the growing strength of Shiv Sena. “This is the second phase of the fight that started on June 22, 2022, to save the ideology of Shiv Sena, the symbol—bow and arrow—and Balasaheb Thackeray. Initially, 40 MLAs were with us, while today six MPs have joined Shiv Sena and given new strength to that fight. Now, not one but six tigers are with us,” he said.
He added that the Shiv Sainiks who believe in Balasaheb’s thoughts and ideology ultimately unite with Shiv Sena. “Wherever Shiv Sena’s thoughts are, Shiv Sainiks are there. These MPs took this decision after discussing it with the workers and the public in their respective constituencies. The development is the main agenda of these MPs to join the Shiv Sena,” the leader said.
Shinde praised the rebels and said that MP Sanjay Bandu Jadhav is an activist and grounded leader, while Sanjay Dina Patil is fearless and a champion of the common people, and Omraje Nimbalkar is a “real star”.
Shinde further added that Sanjay Deshmukh is hard-working, and Shiv Sena will provide him a platform to work on a larger scale, and that Nagesh Patil Ashtikar’s strong-willed nature and Bhausaheb Wakchoure are “a tiger in the village and a tiger in politics”.
“These MPs have not come for any personal gain. They have come to Shiv Sena for the development of the constituency, to provide justice to the workers and to resolve the problems of the people,” Shinde said.
BJP bloc sweeps MLC polls
In the biennial election of the Maharashtra State Legislative Council (MLC), the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won 16 seats out of 17, while an independent candidate won the Nashik seat. The BJP won 11 seats and its allies Shiv Sena three and the NCP two. The indendent candidate later joined the Eknath Shinde-led party as an associate member.
