Are 6-7 MPs of Uddhav Thackeray really going to join Eknath Shinde faction, or is this just a strategy of political pressure? After all, why are the phones of some MPs switched off and why are they being described as “out of contact”? Is a new Shiv Sena faction going to be formed in the Lok Sabha after the secret meetings in Delhi? Is there going to be a big upheaval in Maharashtra politics?
Mumbai/Delhi: There are signs of earthquake once again in the politics of Maharashtra. The deepening differences within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and reports of MPs suddenly becoming “out of touch” have created a sensation in political circles. After the low attendance of MPs in the meeting held in Mumbai on Monday, phones of many senior leaders are now being switched off. Meanwhile, the market of speculations became more heated when the prominent leaders turned to the country’s national capital Delhi. Is Shiv Sena (UBT) once again standing on the verge of a major split? This question has increased the heartbeat of Uddhav camp.
Switched off phones and Delhi’s secret plan: What is going on behind the scenes?
Rumblings of rebellion within the party intensified after efforts by Uddhav Thackeray and other senior leaders to contact some Lok Sabha MPs failed. A very shocking news is coming out quoting sources that about six to seven MPs of the Uddhav faction are in direct contact with the real Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. It is discussed that these MPs include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchore and Sanjay Jadhav, while there is speculation that Rajabhau Waje will also go with them. There is also a sensational claim that all these MPs are going to hold a secret meeting at Shrikant Shinde’s residence in Delhi, in which Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde can also be present. After this meeting, this group can meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and complete the process of forming a separate faction within the Parliament and later merging it with the Shinde faction.
That incomplete meeting of Sunday and the mysterious meeting of Jadhav-Deshmukh
The script of this entire drama started being written on Sunday itself, when only four out of nine Lok Sabha MPs turned up in person at the important meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. Only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Patil were present there, while the rest of the MPs made the excuse of connecting online or talking on the phone. The suspense deepened when a closed-door meeting took place between Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Deshmukh and Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav (Shinde faction) in Delhi on Monday. Although Deshmukh had cited family reasons for not attending Sunday’s meeting, his meeting with Jadhav has fueled speculations about switching sides. Ruling camp leader and Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has also added fuel to the fire by giving a statement. He clearly said: “If the public representatives do not have confidence in their leadership and they believe in the ideals of Balasaheb and the leadership of Eknath Shinde, then our doors are open. We will give them priority.”
Sanjay Raut’s big blast: “Advance of Rs 15 crore to every MP!”
To stop this possible rebellion and do damage control, Uddhav Thackeray’s most trusted commander Sanjay Raut has immediately reached Delhi. As soon as he reached Delhi, Raut made a very aggressive and shocking post on social media platform X, which has created a political uproar. Making direct allegations of horse-trading, Raut wrote: “To buy the MPs of Maharashtra… an advance of Rs 15 crore each is being given tonight, this information is shocking and disgusting!” Speaking to the media in Delhi, Raut rejected claims that he had come to meet the Lok Sabha Speaker or that there was any threat to the party. He insisted that a “wrong picture is being presented” and that all MPs stand firmly with Uddhav Thackeray.
Will 60 year old Shiv Sena be able to face ‘Operation Tiger’?
The Uddhav camp may not be paying attention to this so-called “Operation Tiger” (Tiger, which has been the symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena) being run by the Shinde faction, but an atmosphere of fear can be clearly seen within. Loyal MPs like Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai are also reaching Delhi on Wednesday to handle the situation. The party claims that its 60-year-old history and strong cadre structure will pull it out of this crisis. But political experts believe that if these six MPs actually change sides, then on the lines of recent incidents like Trinamool Congress, it could prove to be the biggest and suicidal blow for Uddhav Thackeray so far. At present, all eyes are fixed on the political developments in Delhi and the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker.