Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday declared 'Operation Tiger' a success as six rebel legislators from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) faction formally joined his camp. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shinde said, 'These six leaders are grassroots politicians connected with the people... they are our Dhurandars.' The move further consolidates Shinde's position as the leader of the 'real Shiv Sena', a claim his faction has made since the split in June 2022.
Details of the Switch
The six MLAs — identified as Sanjay Gaikwad, Rajan Salvi, Prakash Surve, Sunil Shinde, Yogesh Kadam, and Sandip Shinde — submitted a letter of support to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker. They were among the 40-odd MLAs who had initially backed Shinde during the rebellion but had remained with the Uddhav faction in the subsequent legal battles. Their formal induction brings Shinde's total legislative strength to 52 MLAs in the 288-member assembly.
Shinde described the development as a 'homecoming' for the six leaders, who he claimed had been misled by the Uddhav camp. 'They have realized that the true ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray is with us. We are the real Shiv Sena, and this is just the beginning,' he said.
Political Implications
The defections are a major blow to the Uddhav Thackeray faction, which has been struggling to retain its base after the split. Political analyst Hemant Desai noted, 'This is a strategic win for Shinde. It not only strengthens his numbers but also sends a signal that his faction is the dominant one in the state.' The Uddhav camp, however, dismissed the move as 'political opportunism' and accused Shinde of using government machinery to lure MLAs.
Shinde countered by stating that the six leaders joined voluntarily, driven by their commitment to development and Hindutva. 'We have always welcomed those who want to work for the people. This is not about power but about ideology,' he added.
Background of the Split
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, citing dissatisfaction with the alliance with Congress and NCP. Shinde subsequently formed a government with the BJP, becoming Chief Minister. The Election Commission recognized Shinde's faction as the real Shiv Sena in February 2023, awarding it the party's name and symbol. Since then, both factions have been locked in legal and political battles over control of the party.
The latest defections are seen as a continuation of that struggle. 'Operation Tiger' is believed to be a codename for Shinde's strategy to woo Uddhav loyalists. According to sources, more MLAs from the Uddhav camp may switch sides in the coming weeks.
Reactions from Both Sides
Uddhav Thackeray's close aide, Sanjay Raut, criticized Shinde's tactics, calling them 'undemocratic'. 'This is not a victory but a betrayal of the people's mandate. These MLAs have been lured with money and posts,' Raut said. Meanwhile, Shinde's supporters celebrated the development, with party workers distributing sweets at the CM's residence.
The six MLAs, in a joint statement, said they joined Shinde to ensure 'stable governance' and 'development of Maharashtra'. 'We have always been with the real Shiv Sena. Now we are officially part of it,' said Sanjay Gaikwad, one of the rebels.
