If they want to go, let them go: Uddhav Thackeray on Sena (UBT) MPs' defection buzz

Thackeray's remarks came amid speculation about a possible attempt to poach Sena (UBT) MPs after only four of the party's nine Lok Sabha members attended Sunday's Mumbai meeting in person.

In Short

• Speculation grew after only four of nine Lok Sabha MPs attended physically
• Reports of an alleged Operation Tiger fuelled talk of engineered defections
• Aaditya Thackeray said online participation in party meetings was nothing unusual

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has broken his silence on speculation surrounding the loyalty of some party MPs, saying he would not force anyone to remain in the party if they wished to leave.

Addressing a meeting of party MPs on Sunday, Thackeray drew parallels with the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena and said he had sensed the rebellion brewing long before it became public but chose not to pressure anyone into staying. "Today might not be mine, but tomorrow definitely is. Until then, we have to endure and bear it," Thackeray said.

Referring to the split led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thackeray said those who left the party founded by Bal Thackeray would eventually regret their decision. "Those who left Balasaheb's Shiv Sena will eventually regret it, but by then, it will be too late," he said.

Recalling the rebellion that saw 40 MLAs walk away from the undivided Shiv Sena, Thackeray said he was aware of developments at the time despite not taking any action against the dissidents.

"I was the Chief Minister of the state. Did people really think I didn't know what everyone else could clearly see and understand? I had a whiff of what was happening. But I didn't say a word to anyone, didn't pressure them, and didn't open file investigations into their scams," he said.

"What is the point of forcing someone to stay if they already want to leave? If someone wants to go, they are free to leave. I will only wish them well," Thackeray added.

ABSENCE OF MPS FUELS SPECULATION

His remarks come amid speculation about a possible attempt to poach Sena (UBT) MPs after only four of the party's nine Lok Sabha members attended Sunday's Mumbai meeting in person.

The buzz intensified after reports of an alleged "Operation Tiger" surfaced, suggesting efforts were underway to engineer defections from the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit.

According to Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waze and Sanjay Patil attended the meeting physically, while Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined virtually. MP Sanjay Jadhav spoke to Uddhav Thackeray over the phone and is expected to meet him in Mumbai in the coming days.

AADITYA THACKERAY, SANJAY RAUT DISMISS DEFECTION BUZZ

Seeking to downplay the speculation, Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut insisted on Monday that all nine MPs remained with Sena (UBT). "Do not believe in rumours. Uddhav Thackeray and I have ensured that those who are with us, we repose blind faith in them," Aaditya Thackeray told reporters in Pune.

He said Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had campaigned extensively for the MPs during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and helped secure their victories.

Responding to questions about MPs attending the meeting virtually, Aaditya Thackeray said there was nothing unusual about joining discussions online.

Raut also sought to allay concerns, saying all the party's MPs continued to stand with Sena (UBT). "When the Shiv Sena split, those whose loyalty could not be doubted left. We trust our MPs and it will continue. All these MPs are with the Shiv Sena (UBT)," he said.

Taking a swipe at rivals over the "Operation Tiger" speculation, Raut said the party would launch an "Operation Wolf" against its opponents.

SHINDE CAMP CLAIMS UBT MPS ARE UNHAPPY

Amid the speculation, Union Minister and Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Jadhav claimed that several Sena (UBT) MPs were unhappy with the party leadership and in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led faction. "All MPs of UBT are my friends. We have worked together in the past," Jadhav told India Today.

"One thing is clear that many MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) are really unhappy with the party leadership," he said.

Drawing a comparison with recent political defections in West Bengal, Jadhav added, "Many UBT MPs are unhappy with the party leadership like Trinamool MPs were."

Jadhav asserted that the Shinde-led faction represented the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. "We are the real Shiv Sena, working on the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray," he said.

The Union minister also extended an open invitation to Sena (UBT) MPs to join the Shinde camp. "All MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) are welcome in our fold," he said, adding that "a few MPs of UBT are in touch with Eknath Shinde ji".

- Ends