Pune/Mumbai, June 15 (IANS) Shiv Sena-UBT leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray on Monday firmly dismissed speculation about a fresh split in the party, asserting that all its Members of Parliament (MPs) remain loyal and urging people not to believe the rumours. “People can be blind followers (Andhbhakt), but we have blind faith (Andhvishwas) in our colleagues,” Aaditya Thackeray said.

Amid intensifying speculation of a fresh political split in Maharashtra under the so-called “Operation Tiger”, Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks came in response to reports claiming that five MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction are in contact with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.

“The people who are with us were elected with massive margins during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections because voters placed their trust in Uddhav Thackeray,” he added.

He further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the ruling party is attempting to engineer splits across the country to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

He said that Uddhav Thackeray and ally NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had campaigned extensively for the Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Asked whether the five MPs, who did not attend Sunday’s meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in person, were “sitting on the fence”, Aaditya Thackeray questioned what was wrong with joining the meeting online.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut responded to questions about the “Operation Tiger” buzz by stating that the party would launch “Operation Wolf” to target its opponents, apparently referring to the rival Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Raut told reporters on Sunday that MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waze and Sanjay Patil attended the meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai in person, while Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined online.

Sanjay Jadhav spoke to Thackeray over the phone and is expected to visit Mumbai and meet him within the next two days.

Raut said on Monday: “When the Shiv Sena split, those whose loyalty could not be doubted left. We trust our MPs and that trust will continue. All these MPs are with Shiv Sena (UBT).”

When asked whether the MPs who did not attend Sunday’s meeting physically would remain present on June 19, the foundation day of the undivided Shiv Sena, Raut said no one needed an invitation for the “event of the Shiv Sena family”.

The statements by Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut assume significance amid speculation in Maharashtra that Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar are in touch with the Shinde faction, fuelling rumours of an imminent political realignment.

According to sources, party chief Uddhav Thackeray addressed the issue during a crucial meeting of party MPs.

“Those who want to leave are free to go, and I wish them well. However, those who abandon Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena will regret it sooner or later,” he reportedly said.

The development comes nearly four years after the vertical split in the Shiv Sena in 2022, suggesting that the party could be facing another phase of internal turbulence.

While the meeting at Matoshree served as the first litmus test, the second and more decisive one will take place on June 19 during the foundation day celebrations.

The attendance of the MPs at that event is likely to determine the future trajectory of the party, sources said.

Meanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray termed the rebel Trinamool Congress MPs as “ungrateful people” who won in the name of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee but switched sides after the change in government in West Bengal.

–IANS

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