Kolhapur, June 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah made pointed remarks about Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), stating that there are no factions left in Maharashtra’s politics. He emphasized that under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, there is now only “one real Shiv Sena.”
Speaking at a public rally in Kolhapur, Shah laid the foundation stone for the Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple development and corridor project, which is estimated to cost ₹1,445.97 crores. He introduced Deputy Chief Minister Shinde as the “President of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister.”
Shah remarked, “Earlier, we had to refer to them as the ‘Shiv Sena Shinde faction.’ But now, there are no factions left; there is only one Shiv Sena.”
These statements are being linked to “Operation Tiger,” a political maneuver believed to have brought Thackeray’s party to the brink of another major split. The political landscape intensified earlier this week when six out of nine Lok Sabha MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) skipped a crucial parliamentary meeting called by Thackeray in New Delhi, violating the party’s official whip.
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde hinted at imminent political changes, stating, “This is just the trailer; the film is yet to unfold.” He used strong and aggressive language while addressing party workers, responding to opposition leaders who targeted him over rumors of party defections.
Shinde said, “People were asking what Eknath Shinde would say, who would come to the stage, and what would happen? Look, this lion stands before you today.” He added, “I’ve noticed some dogs barking daily. But let me tell you, dogs bark in packs, while a lion walks alone.”
Without directly naming Uddhav Thackeray or Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Shinde responded to warnings from the UBT faction. Earlier, Raut had threatened that if rebel legislators returned to their constituencies, party workers would “crush” them.
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