Amid mounting speculation over defections from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp under "Operation Tiger", Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday declared the exercise a success, while Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde hinted that more developments were on the way.
Addressing a joint press conference, Fadnavis said, "The operation has been successful, and the body is in very good health. There is no need for anyone to worry. Those who need to introspect should do so."
Shinde, whose 2022 rebellion split the undivided Shiv Sena, asserted that he never leaves an operation unfinished. "Whenever I undertake an operation, I complete it fully. We have already shown it," he said.
Asked about the status of Operation Tiger, Shinde remarked, "You will get breaking news soon. The MPs are abused, and then you (Thackeray camp) want them (back). There is a chemical locha."
The remarks came days after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Nimbalkar, skipped the party's parliamentary meeting in New Delhi, fuelling speculation about a possible switch to the Shinde-led Sena.
The Sena (UBT) has nine Lok Sabha MPs, and a rebel group would require the support of at least six members to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law. On Sunday, at least two of the six MPs reportedly confirmed their decision to join the Shinde camp.
Fadnavis said Shinde's Shiv Sena was carrying forward the ideological legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray.
"Shiv Sena is not merely a political party. It is Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. It is not a legacy of property, but a legacy of ideas. The moment some people abandoned those ideas, those who believed in them chose a different path," he said.
He added that party workers and elected representatives committed to Bal Thackeray's ideology were increasingly rallying behind Shinde's leadership.
Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis said, "Uddhav ji did not introspect, and this is the consequence. There is no doubt in anyone's mind now that the Shiv Sena being run by Eknath Shinde is the real Shiv Sena. Balasaheb's bow-and-arrow symbol is with Eknath Shinde, and he is carrying forward Balasaheb's ideology."
