Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray suffered another major blow on Tuesday when Legislative Council member Sachin Ahir joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Ahir has also filed nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman. This happened after 6 MPs left the party under ‘Operation Tiger’.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray suffered another major blow on Tuesday when his Legislative Council member Sachin Ahir joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Ahir also filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council as a Shiv Sena candidate. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were also present with Ahir while filing the nomination.
This latest development comes after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs – Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchore, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar – formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, making “Operation Tiger” a success. The defection has reduced the strength of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Lok Sabha, which is another major blow to the party after the 2022 split.
Uddhav Thackeray targeted the rebels
Uddhav Thackeray, while addressing a large public meeting in Dharashiv on Sunday, raised questions on the political developments in Maharashtra and targeted those responsible for the split in Shiv Sena. “Why are they breaking Shiv Sena? They want to destroy Maharashtra, want to destroy Shiv Sena and want to destroy Maharashtra religion.”
He also expressed concern over industrial development in the state and alleged that investments were moving out of Maharashtra. “In the last ten years, has even a single company come to Maharashtra? Everything is going to Gujarat, Gujarat,” Thackeray said. Comparing it to the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, “Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena cannot be measured by the number of MLAs and MPs.” The rally is being seen as part of efforts by the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership to strengthen its organizational base and counter the political impact of the recent defection.
Sanjay Raut challenged
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut challenged the rebel leader to resign and face the public again if he has confidence in his decision. He said, “If you have to betray, resign, contest elections again, and then you will see whether the people of Yavatmal-Washim are with the traitors or with the loyalists. This ocean of loyalists will not rest until these traitors are swept away.”
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader asserted that despite the split in 2022, the party will “rise from the ashes” and retain its hold on Maharashtra.
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