UBT Leader Escalates Political War of Words Over Alleged MP Switch to Rival Camp
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray has launched a sharp and uncompromising attack on six MPs of his party amid growing speculation of their alignment with the rival Shiv Sena faction, intensifying the political confrontation around the ongoing “Operation Tiger” developments.
Calling the MPs “not rebels but darrpok aur bekau,” Thackeray alleged that they were elected on the ideological platform of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) against the BJP, but were now allegedly being influenced to switch sides.
“Trying to Push Them Into BJP’s Daldal”: Thackeray
In a strongly worded statement, Thackeray claimed the BJP was attempting to expand its parliamentary strength through defections.
He said, “They are not rebels but ‘darrpok aur bekau’. They were elected in the name of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and MVA against the BJP. Now, the BJP wants to include them in their ‘daldal’ so that they can change the Constitution of the country by achieving 2/3rd majority in Lok Sabha.”
Allegations of Larger Political Strategy
Thackeray further alleged that the current political churn was part of a broader strategy aimed at altering constitutional safeguards, claiming similar patterns were seen in other political parties.
He stated, “The way our party was split, the same way TMC and AAP were also split. If there is law and Constitution in this country, then we can expect justice.”
He also added, “Today they are breaking our MPs and MLAs as they are willing to change the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Voters prevented them in 2024 and they got only 240 MPs but now they are trying that again by breaking parties, their main aim is to change the Constitution.”
Attack on Governance and Funding Issues
Expanding his criticism beyond defections, Thackeray also targeted the ruling party’s governance, accusing it of poor administration and financial discrimination against opposition constituencies.
He said, “BJP can riot in the country, create chaos, and campaign, but one thing is certain: BJP does not know how to govern. We are seeing this in the BMC in Mumbai and the PMC in Pune. Not only these MLAs but all other public representatives of the opposition are not getting funds for their constituencies. We, as MLAs, are also facing this issue.”
‘Only One Shiv Sena’, Says Thackeray
Referring to the ongoing split within the party and the “Operation Tiger” narrative, Thackeray asserted that the original Shiv Sena remains with the UBT faction.
He said, “There is only one Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT). The other faction is backed by the BJP and is not the original Shiv Sena.”
He further alleged that despite financial constraints, the rival faction was allegedly investing resources in attracting MPs.
Thackeray stated, “These people do not have money for salaries of employees or welfare schemes, but they have money to buy MPs. All these MPs were elected on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol with the support of MVA allies, and now they are switching sides, going against the people’s mandate.”
Political Tensions Intensify in Maharashtra
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Maharashtra, with speculation of further realignments among MPs and continued friction between Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led faction, further deepening the state’s already volatile political landscape.
