A campaign underway in Maharashtra politics under the name “Operation Tiger” is stirring up a massive storm. Amid speculation that MPs belonging to the Shiv Sena party would move toward Eknath Shinde’s faction, party chief Uddhav Thackeray made sensational remarks at a meeting with his MPs. According to reports, Uddhav said that anyone who wishes to leave the party is free to do so without hesitation, and that he wishes them well.
Recalling the rebellion that shook the party four years ago, Uddhav reportedly told his MPs: “A major split occurred in the party back then — 40 MLAs walked out. Do you think I, as Chief Minister at the time, didn’t know what was happening? But I did not stop anyone by force.” He warned that those who abandoned the Shiv Sena founded by Balasaheb Thackeray would certainly regret it in the future — but by then, it would be too late. “Today may not be my time, but tomorrow will certainly be mine. Until then, we must fight with patience,” Uddhav reportedly said.
However, senior party leader and MP Sanjay Raut strongly denied in Delhi that Uddhav Thackeray made any such remarks. He stated that he was present throughout the meeting and that Uddhav Thackeray never said anything of the sort. He made it clear that Uddhav would never say — and never will say — “those who want to leave, go ahead.” Raut also said that after Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray is the only leader in Maharashtra who meets people and party workers so extensively, and that the doors of Matoshree are always open for everyone. He noted that all 9 of their party’s MPs remain united, and cautioned that meeting ministers from other parties for public work should not be given a political color.
On the other side, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction continues to mount pressure on the Uddhav camp. Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik commented that Operation Tiger is a round-the-clock, year-long process. He said that workers and leaders from other parties who feel they have not received justice are coming over to Eknath Shinde’s side based on their belief in Balasaheb’s ideology — and that in their view, all of them are tigers.