Uddhav Stays Defiant As Two Rebel MPs Confirm Shiv Sena UBT Exit; Shinde Signals Operation Tiger's Success

Omprakash Tiwari, Mumbai: The internal rift within the Shiv Sena (UBT) intensified on Sunday as two rebel MPs, Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar, announced their decision to join the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In response, Uddhav Thackeray launched a campaign targeting the rebel MPs in their own constituencies.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday evening, Uddhav Thackeray said, "I have faced such crises before; it hasn't shaken me," urging voters to "take revenge during the elections."

His close aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, "Many people came, and many went... but the Thackeray family remained... it does not matter."

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Omraje Nimbalkar Joins Shinde Faction Citing Constituency Development

Clearing days of intense political speculation, Dharashiv MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar on Sunday announced his decision to exit the Shiv Sena (UBT) and align with the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra leader Eknath Shinde. Nimbalkar, who had previously maintained silence, confirmed the crossover on Sunday evening after arriving in Dharashiv from Pune and discussing with his party workers.

He cited the Sena (UBT)'s defeat in the local body elections and his inability to do much for the people because of being in opposition as the main reasons for his decision.

"We lost because we were not in power. As I am not part of the government, I couldn't do much for the people in the last two years. Considering these factors, I have decided to join Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. He stood with us," he said, adding that he had already interacted with Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis Terms 'Operation Tiger' A Success

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the 'operation' has been successful. The 'Operation Tiger' is aimed at securing defections from the Uddhav Thackeray camp.

Addressing a press conference alongside Eknath Shinde, 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."

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Shinde stated he did not conduct incomplete operations. "Whenever I undertake an operation, I complete it fully. We have already shown it," he said.

When asked about the current status of the operation, Shinde hinted at further developments, stating that 'breaking news' would follow soon and criticising the Thackeray camp's treatment of its MPs, remarking that there is a 'chemical locha' in their approach.

Operation Turva

In response to Eknath Shinde's 'Operation Tiger', Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched a campaign to show his party's grassroots strength and prove that the rebel MPs were elected on the party's merit rather than their own. Thackeray kicked off the campaign in Bhandup, the neighbourhood of Mumbai Northeast MP Sanjay Dina Patil, who recently defected to the Shinde faction.

Over the coming week, Thackeray is scheduled to take his campaign directly into the constituencies of the remaining rebel MPs. Backing the move, Raut announced that the party is launching 'Operation Turva'.

(With Inputs From  PTI)