Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has launched a sharp political attack on party MPs amid escalating speculation of defections to the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde under the ongoing political churn often referred to as “Operation Tiger”.
In a strongly worded post on X, Thackeray accused the rebel lawmakers of abandoning the mandate on which they were elected and prioritising personal interests over ideology and public trust.
“Loyalty and Reputation Are for Sale,” Says Thackeray
Without naming individuals directly, Thackeray criticised MPs who have been linked to the Shinde-led camp, alleging that their political shift reflects opportunism rather than principle.
He wrote, “Your loyalty and your reputation are for sale, shamelessly. The government is biased and uses public money politically as funds.”
He further argued that the MPs had been elected with the backing of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance and had campaigned alongside leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), but were now distancing themselves from the very platform that brought them to power.
Accusations of Betraying Voter Mandate
Thackeray said the electorate in their constituencies had voted against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and supported the INDIA bloc’s ideology, only for some representatives to now shift allegiance.
He claimed, “All those who are switching sides were elected on MVA and INDIA alliance platforms. Voters rejected NDA candidates, but now their mandate is being disregarded.”
Internal Crisis Deepens in Shiv Sena (UBT)
The remarks come at a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing internal uncertainty, with reports suggesting that several of its Lok Sabha MPs may be aligning with the Shinde-led faction.
Earlier, the party had issued show-cause notices to absentee MPs following their absence from a crucial parliamentary meeting. They were directed to explain their position within 24 hours, failing which disciplinary action under the Anti-Defection Law could be initiated.
Speculation of Split Intensifies
Out of the party’s nine Lok Sabha MPs, only a few reportedly attended the recent parliamentary meeting in New Delhi, further fuelling speculation of a potential split. Six MPs were absent, triggering political buzz about their possible realignment.
