Operation Tiger: Shiv Sena (UBT)'s show of strength quells speculation of MPs switching to Shinde camp

All the 11 MPs—nine of Lok Sabha and two of Rajya Sabha are together and “100 per cent” are with Thackeray and ideology of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Mumbai: Amid claims by Eknath Shinde's camp that several lawmakers of Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with them, the MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party put up a united face in New Delhi and asserted that they are staying with the party and not going anywhere.

All the 11 MPs—nine of Lok Sabha and two of Rajya Sabha— stated they are together and '100 per cent' with Thackeray and ideology of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

The two Rajya Sabha MPs are Sanjay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi.

The nine Lok Sabha MPs are Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Sanjay Dina Patil , Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Ashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav, Rajabhau Waze, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Omprakash Rajenimbalkar.

Lok Sabha MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) met at the residence of Sawant and scotched rumours about some of them joining the Shiv Sena.

“Let me tell you, we are 100 per cent with Thackeray and are not going anywhere,” said Sawant adding that a day ago the Shiv Sena (UBT) office was open in the Lok Sabha complex and all MPs were present.

“All 11 of us, nine from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha were present there.” said Desai.

Earlier in the day, two Shiv Sena leaders—industries minister Uday Samant and social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat claimed that several MPs and MLAs of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maha Vikas Aghadi are in touch with them.

“Tiger zinda hai,” said Sawant as he dismissed what is being described as Operation Tiger by the rival party.

“Several are in touch with us. Shinde Saheb has the exact details, he has the knowledge of who will join when, but let me assure you it will happen soon,” said Shirsat.

“At least 10 to 12 of the MPs and MLAs and senior leaders are in touch with us and are willing to join Shiv Sena,” said Samant adding that the induction will happen in phases.

“People have realised that Shinde's leadership is better than that of the Shiv Sena (UBT). His leadership is good and sensitive, which is why so many people are in touch.

"Many people are reaching out to the party, and it is certain that they will enter the Shiv Sena, in a phased amber,” added Samant, a close aide of Shinde.

Sawant clarified Sanjay Dina Patil's absence saying that he is accompanying Raut for a press conference.

On Priyanka Chaturvedi’s absence, he said that she had gone to Prayarag for Kumbh Mela festivities.

Meanwhile, Raut said that Shinde’s Shiv Sena is being humiliated by the BJP regularly.

“See, Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis is operating upon them daily and Shinde is like an appendix in the stomach of Shiv Sena-BJP, and he should worry about when he will be thrown out," he said.