Uddhav Thackeray Alleges BJP’s ‘Operation Tiger’ to Undermine Fadnavis

NEW DELHI: Uddhav Thackeray, president of Shiv Sena (UBT), on Saturday accused the BJP of orchestrating what he termed as “Operation Tiger.” This operation, he claims, pertains to the recent defection of six Lok Sabha MPs from his faction to the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Thackeray suggested that this move aims to keep Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a BJP member, “in check.”

During a rally in Hingoli, which is represented by one of the defecting MPs, Thackeray alleged that the Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah might be orchestrating these defections to curb Fadnavis’ ambitions for the prime minister’s post. “The MPs defected despite there being no elections. Why didn’t they join the BJP instead? I suspect this is actually ‘Operation Devendra.’ Shah might have orchestrated it to keep Fadnavis at a certain level so that he does not enter the race for prime minister,” Thackeray remarked.

Thackeray further stated, “If the need arises tomorrow, these rebels will vote for Amit Shah for the post of prime minister.” This assertion highlights his concerns over the political maneuvering within the BJP.

Expounding on “Operation Tiger,” Thackeray asserted it is designed to help the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. He believes this would facilitate the passage of the controversial delimitation bill. “They want to get the delimitation bill passed so that the entire country falls into the hands of north India. It does not matter how many farmers commit suicide, how many paper leaks take place or how many students end their lives. What they want is MPs,” he commented.

The opposition alleges that the BJP uses delimitation to bolster its presence by increasing parliamentary seats in northern states, where it enjoys greater support compared to southern regions. However, the BJP maintains that the increase in constituencies will be fair and proportionate, with a proposed 50% rise in seats for each state.

Uddhav Thackeray has been actively touring the constituencies of the MPs who recently switched allegiance to the BJP. It’s noteworthy that Deputy Chief Minister Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022 led to a split in the Shiv Sena, resulting in the fall of Thackeray’s government. Shinde then ascended to the chief minister’s position, a role he has held for two years now. The Election Commission recognizes Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena.

The timing of Thackeray’s remarks comes just a day after he encountered Fadnavis on the same IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Nagpur, the chief minister’s hometown. This incident has sparked political speculation, which the BJP has sought to downplay, emphasizing that while the two leaders are rivals, their relationship is not personally antagonistic.