Aditya Thackeray Criticizes Rebel MPs Amid Shiv Sena UBT Turmoil

In the midst of significant dissent within the Uddhav faction, Aditya Thackeray labeled the rebel MPs from the UBT as shameless, ungrateful, and corrupt on Friday. He accused them of betraying those who supported their victory in 2024. Thackeray asserted that Maharashtra would not tolerate such dirty politics! He stated that these individuals have shamelessly sold themselves, jeopardizing their dignity and family names. On social media, he remarked that we are witnessing yet another shocking instance of dirty politics. These shameless, ungrateful, and corrupt individuals, who won due to the support of certain people in 2024, are now betraying them! No matter how many excuses you make, the truth remains unchanged. You have shamelessly sold yourselves, putting not only your integrity but also your name and your family's reputation at stake. Maharashtra will not stand for this dirty politics. Absolutely not! The light that will emerge from this darkness will be our 'torch.'

Meanwhile, leaders from the ruling Shiv Sena attributed the discontent among their MPs to the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, head of the Shiv Sena (UBT), and denied any connection to 'Operation Tiger'.

The term 'Operation Tiger' refers to the alleged attempts by the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, to sway MPs from the Thackeray faction. Notably, the undivided Shiv Sena's election symbol was a tiger, created by the party's founder, Bal Thackeray. Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat claimed on Thursday that discontent among the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had been brewing for the past year and has now come to light. Speaking to reporters, Shirsat targeted Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena (UBT), holding him primarily responsible for the crisis facing Uddhav Thackeray's party. He also stated that their party has no connection to Operation Tiger and that it is an internal matter for Shiv Sena (UBT). His comments were in response to speculations regarding an operation to break away Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs.

Six out of the nine Lok Sabha members of Shiv Sena (UBT) did not attend the parliamentary party meeting held in New Delhi. This absence suggests that it may only be a matter of time before they formally join the ruling Shiv Sena led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Only three MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) - Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje - attended the meeting, along with the party's sole Rajya Sabha member, Sanjay Raut.