Sanjay Raut, an MP with Shiv Sena (UBT), verbally abused rebel party members during a press conference in Delhi this week.
The incident signals a deepening rift within the party as allegations of bribery and planned defections surface amid a struggle for political control in Maharashtra.
Raut targeted several rebel MPs, including Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, and Rajabhau Waje [1]. During the event, Raut warned the lawmakers against resigning from their positions and used abusive language on camera. He later instructed the media not to censor the remarks, saying, "Do not beep it out" [2].
Addressing the motives behind the internal conflict, Raut said that the Shinde faction is attempting to induce lawmakers to defect through a scheme called “Operation Tiger” [3]. He said that defectors were offered 15 crore rupees each [3], along with the use of private jets, to switch allegiances.
Of the nine total Lok Sabha MPs representing Shiv Sena (UBT), three attended the press conference [1]. Raut maintained his stance on the confrontation after the event, saying, "I don't regret using the abusive words" [2].
Following these public accusations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde cancelled a scheduled meeting with UBT MPs [3]. The cancellation follows the growing tension and the public nature of Raut's warnings to the rebel faction, a move that complicates the stability of the current party structure.
“"Defectors were offered 15 crore rupees each as part of 'Operation Tiger'."”
The public nature of these accusations and the use of specific figures like 15 crore rupees suggest a high-stakes battle for legislative numbers in Maharashtra. By framing the defections as a coordinated financial operation, Raut is attempting to delegitimize the rebel MPs' motivations while signaling to other party members that the leadership is aware of recruitment attempts by the Shinde faction.
