Shiv Sena Ministers Clash Over 'Operation Tiger 3.0' Allegations

Shiv Sena minister Gulabrao Patil claimed that Operation Tiger 3.0 had begun and 14 Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs would soon join Eknath Shinde’s party.

The claim came two days after a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting chaired by Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, where only 37 of the alliance's 60 legislators were present.

"Wait for some time, more than 14 MLAs will come to him (Shinde). Eknath Shinde does not speak, he only moves his hands on his beard, this has been admitted by Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray himself. When Eknath Shinde moves his hands on his beard, then Operation Tiger is a success," Patil said.

However, Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant contradicted Patil’s claim, saying in Nagpur, that no such operation was under way, though he did say that several MLAs from the MVA were of their own accord interested in joining the Shiv Sena.

Amid speculations of chances of Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar joining the Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Samant said that would be a "happy moment".

"Vijay Wadettiwar is our very good friend. He is also a close friend of Eknath Shinde Saheb. Vijay Wadettiwar never discussed party joining with us. But if a powerful leader from Vidarbha like Vijay Wadettiwar decides to work with Eknath Shinde Saheb, I will be the happiest," Samant said.

However, Wadettiwar reacted by saying "politics of defamation" must be stopped and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Congress.

Defending the defections, Samant cited the constitutional right by the MLAs to change parties, referring to Shinde’s rebellion in 2022.

"Four-and-a-half years ago, we went through the same phase. Those who accepted Shinde's leadership were abused, threatened and targeted. But changing political ideology or party is a right granted by the Constitution of India," the Shiv Sena minister said.

He further said that the party had no reason to reject the MVA MLAs if they wished to follow Shinde.

"If the MLAs of the MVA themselves wish that we should accept the leadership of Eknath Shinde Saheb, then why should we reject it? If they are going to join the party, then why should we tell them not to come?" Samant said.

In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs alleged that legislators who had joined Shinde were "bought" with payments of Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore each.

The UBT president, Uddhav Thackeray, has begun touring the constituencies of the six Lok Sabha members who rebelled against him. He flew to Nagpur on Friday, incidentally on the same plane as CM Devendra Fadnavis, and said that all four Vidarbha MLAs from his party confirmed their presence at his public rally on Saturday in Yavatmal and Washim.

Shiv Sena functionaries under Shinde accused Thackeray of ignoring his constituencies during local body elections and party workers, dismissing his tour as a belated outreach.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has 20 MLAs and the requirement for a two-third mark to initiate a split is 14. Of the 20 MLAs, 10 are from the city, including Uddhav's son, Aaditya, and nephew, Varun Sardesai.