Sanjay Raut, a senior leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, warned rebel members of parliament that they would not be spared.
The threat comes as the party struggles to maintain unity and prevent further defections to the rival Shinde faction and the BJP. Such shifts in allegiance could destabilize the party's influence in the Lok Sabha and weaken its political leverage.
Raut labeled the current internal turmoil as “Operation Tiger,” according to reports [1]. He said those considering a move should resign and leave the party, saying, "We won't spare backstabbers, resign and go" [1].
The crisis follows reports from the Shinde camp suggesting that six or seven MPs are likely to switch sides [3]. Raut said he has announced a planned meeting in Delhi to discuss the crisis and strategize against these potential defections [1].
During a recent meeting at Matoshree, five MPs attended in person while other members joined virtually [2]. The gathering included key figures such as Lok Sabha leader Arvind Sawant, chief whip Anil Desai, and Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje [1].
Despite the warnings, Raut indicated there is a path for those who regret their decisions. He said that if anyone regrets the mistake, they should come back to the party led by Uddhav [4].
The Shiv Sena (UBT) continues to navigate these tensions as it attempts to counter rumors of a broader rebellion within its ranks [1].
“"We won't spare backstabbers, resign and go."”
The internal friction within the Shiv Sena (UBT) highlights the volatility of Maharashtra's political landscape, where party loyalty is often tested by the allure of power-sharing agreements with the ruling coalition. By framing the defections as 'Operation Tiger,' Raut is attempting to cast the rebels as aggressors, while the offer of return suggests the party is trying to balance a hardline stance with a need to recover lost numbers.
