Hingoli, June 27 (IANS) In a sensational political claim, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday alleged that the breaking of the party was not an “Operation Tiger,” but an “Operation Devendra.”

He said the poaching of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs was strategically designed by internal forces to trim CM Devendra Fadnavis’ wings so that he never emerges as a future competitor for the Prime Minister’s post.

He warned that the Shinde faction has zero independent future and will eventually be discarded like trash by the BJP.

Launching a fierce counteroffensive following the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs, Thackeray held a massive rally in Hingoli, targeting the rebels and the ruling alliance.

Thackeray dismissed claims of an “Operation Tiger” orchestrated by DCM Shinde, suggesting instead that the political script was an “Operation Devendra” masterminded by the BJP leadership to clip Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wings.

Focusing his wrath heavily on Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, who was among the six dissidents to jump ship to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Thackeray labelled him the “chief of traitors” (gaddaraancha sardar).

He told the crowd that some people were warning him that he would defect, but he refused to believe them, adding that now, he had not just broken away but had emerged as the leader of these traitors.

Thackeray shared an anecdote about how a few MPs had skipped a crucial parliamentary meeting in Delhi under false pretences. He recounted a phone call from Yavatmal MP Sanjay Deshmukh, who claimed he had to stay back to arrange his daughter’s marriage alliance.

He added that he had no idea that he was not fixing his daughter’s alliance, but was instead bargaining to increase his own market value, using sharp language to call out Ashtikar and the other defectors.

He described the rebels as “wolves, foxes, and donkeys wearing tigers’ skins” whom the party had affectionately placed on its shoulders.

Thackeray questioned the political logic behind the six MPs joining Eknath Shinde’s faction, which he repeatedly mocked as the subservient Sena, rather than directly merging with the BJP. He reiterated a deeper conspiracy within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) targeted at Maharashtra’s leadership.

Thackeray sought to boost his cadre’s morale, asserting that the poaching of a few lawmakers cannot extinguish the real spirit of Shiv Sena.

Dismissing the narrative that his party has been weakened by splits, Thackeray declared that elected representatives are transient, whereas the true foundation of Shiv Sena lies in its fiercely loyal grassroots workers.

Targeting the rebel MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar from Hingoli, who defected, Thackeray expressed deep betrayal. He said that many thought that poaching two or five MPs, or a handful of MLAs, meant the Shiv Sena was finished, but they did not understand that lawmakers were separate from hardcore Shiv Sainiks.

He added that betrayal occurred twice in Hingoli, and that the former MP left but had to enter through the back door. He questioned how they would face the public to seek votes now, adding that they had brought shame upon themselves.

Apologising to the voters for backing candidates who later switched sides, Thackeray called them “donkeys and jackals masquerading in lions’ skin” and added that their actions showed “treachery is in their blood.” Thackeray levelled specific, severe allegations against current Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, labelling him the “traitor of traitors.”

He recounted a behind-the-scenes incident from a parliamentary party meeting, saying that he had called a meeting of their MPs and that three were physically present at his residence while others joined online, including an MP from Yavatmal.

He added that the previous day he had called him, saying he could not come because suitors were visiting to see his daughter for a marriage alliance, but little did he know they were not fixing his daughter’s alliance; they were negotiating his own price tag while assuring him they were with him.

He also accused defecting leaders of switching loyalties solely to secure political tickets and futures for their children, throwing the BJP’s “nepotism” (Gharanashahi) allegations right back at the Shinde camp.

Shifting focus to public issues, the former Chief Minister drew a sharp contrast between the luxurious lifestyles of current ruling leaders and the misery of ordinary citizens.

Thackeray slammed ministers for flying in chartered planes while farmers in Marathwada struggle to gather money to buy seeds and fertilisers. He raised concerns over the Shaktipeeth Highway project, highlighting the displacement of local landowners.

He took the government to task over the recent paper leak scandals in the TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) and NEET examinations, accusing the ruling combine of being obsessed with power politics while neglecting students’ futures.

Concluding his address, Thackeray urged the people of Hingoli and Marathwada to create history in the upcoming elections by electing loyal leaders.

He rallied the Shiv Sainiks, saying the traitors were gone, but the hardcore Shiv Sainiks were with them, and urged them to take charge of their regions and show that loyalty could not be bought with money.

–IANS

sj/dan