Shiv Sena MLC claims seven UBT MPs ready to join Eknath Shinde camp

Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane has claimed that seven SS(UBT) MPs and 16 MLAs are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led camp. The claim has intensified speculation around ‘Operation Tiger’, though Uddhav Thackeray’s party has strongly denied it

Mumbai: Amid the buzz and speculation over ‘Operation Tiger’ intensifying in Maharashtra, suggesting more MPs and MLAs are ready to abandon the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena camp, a startling claim by SS (Shinde camp) MLC Krupal Tumane has sent political temperatures soaring within the Opposition ranks.

Krupal Tumane, speaking to IANS, said, “Out of nine MPs of SS(UBT), seven are willing to work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. They want to work according to his policies and ensure the development of their constituencies.”

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“At least seven UBT MPs and 16 MLAs are in contact with us,” he said, emphasising the scale of “discontent and disgruntlement” within the Uddhav camp.

Tumane further stated that the discussions with them were at an advanced stage and the switchover may happen sooner rather than later.

The assertions by MLC Krupal Tumane come in the backdrop of heightened speculation about a fresh split in the Uddhav camp and how shifting loyalties could shake up the Bal Thackeray-founded party and alter the support bases of the two Shiv Sena factions in the state.

The speculations have, however, been strongly refuted by at least two Shiv Sena MPs, including Uddhav Thackeray’s staunch loyalist Sanjay Raut.

SS(UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has rubbished all speculation about ‘Operation Tiger’ and affirmed that the party remains “intact, united and strong”.

Voices of discontent and unease within the camp started surfacing over a recent meeting of the Sena MPs convened at ‘Matoshree’, the residence of Uddhav Thackeray.

Conflicting reports claimed that the informal meeting was missed by most Sena parliamentarians and that only a handful turned up.

The party later, in a clarification, stated that all the MPs had joined the meeting, though some did so virtually.

This only strengthened speculation that something was amiss within the party, as this marked a clear departure from previous such meetings.

Bhausaheb Wakchaure, another Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Shirdi, dismissed the speculation as merely hearsay and stated that too much was being read into it to stoke fresh turmoil in Maharashtra politics.

“I am with SS(UBT). These are just speculations; they have been going on for a year. I don’t know why they are going on,” he stated.

“Today, I am standing with UBT; I can’t say about tomorrow; I am not a soothsayer,” he said, giving fresh fodder to political watchers to interpret his remarks.