Mumbai, June 19: Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, targeted the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) during the party’s 60th anniversary celebrations on Friday.
Amidst ongoing speculation about ‘Operation Tiger‘, Shinde hinted at significant political changes ahead. He stated, “This is just the trailer; the real film is yet to come.”
Addressing party workers, Shinde sharply responded to opposition leaders who criticized him regarding the potential defection. He noted that people were curious about his statements and who would be present on stage.
He remarked, “Look, today this lion stands right in front of you. For the past few days, some dogs have been barking daily.” He commented that dogs bark in packs, while a lion walks alone.
Without naming Uddhav Thackeray or UBT’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Shinde countered the UBT faction’s warning regarding ‘Operation Tundwa’. Raut had threatened that if rebel legislators returned to their constituencies, party workers would crush them. Shinde mocked Raut’s political stature and openly challenged UBT leadership.
He mentioned that some claimed he would lead a wolf operation, but jokingly said, “He is just a compounder. How can a compounder perform an operation? Here, Shrikant Shinde (his son) is the real doctor. Even though I’m not a doctor, I know how to perform an operation, and it takes a lion’s heart, not a wolf’s.”
Reflecting on his rebellion in June 2022, Shinde recalled how those same leaders threatened him when he returned to Mumbai. They told him he had to come through Worli. He emphasized that Mumbai is not anyone’s personal property. He arrived alone by road, without using a helicopter, and stayed in Worli. At that time, those who threatened him were watching him online from their homes.
Supporting senior leader Ramdas Kadam’s comments, Shinde warned that if the UBT faction speaks of ‘Operation Tundwa’, they should have the courage to face his faction. He asked, “Will our spirited Shiv Sainiks leave their feet intact for you to crush them? Our workers adhere to Balasaheb Thackeray’s core ideology.”
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