Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In a major setback for Uddhav Thackeray, all six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs are likely to merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at 3 pm on Monday, according to sources.
The six MPs are expected to formally merge with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, potentially giving the rebel bloc the required two-thirds strength needed to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The development comes after two of the dissident MPs, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, publicly confirmed their decision to join the Shinde camp on Sunday.
The six MPs who skipped the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17 are Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar. Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs, and the rebel group needs at least six members to meet the two-thirds threshold.
Confirming his decision to switch sides, Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar said remarks made against him and other dissident MPs after June 18 changed their minds about remaining in the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
“I, and some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which made us believe that there is no point in staying here (Sena-UBT),” Ashtikar said in a video posted on social media.
Ashtikar clarified that he was not upset with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray or party leader Sanjay Raut. However, his remarks appeared to refer to criticism directed at the dissident MPs in recent days.
Coming forward publicly for the first time since rumours of “Operation Tiger” began circulating, Ashtikar confirmed that he had crossed over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. He said he had not compromised on his ideology and had “just gone from one Shiv Sena to another.”
The Hingoli MP cited a lack of development funds and the limitations of being in the opposition as major reasons behind his decision. He said the work of party workers was not getting done because they were not on the side of power.
He also cited the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s defeat in the recent local body elections and Uddhav Thackeray’s absence from the field during the campaign as factors behind the move.
Nimbalkar’s decision came after intense efforts by the Thackeray camp to retain him. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs Kailas Patil and Varun Sardesai visited his residence in Pune in the early hours of Sunday and conveyed Uddhav Thackeray’s message.
“We had talks with Omraje. We conveyed Uddhav Saheb’s message. We are confident Omraje will stay with us,” Kailas Patil had told reporters.
Amid the political developments, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis virtually acknowledged the success of the much-discussed “Operation Tiger.”
Responding to questions about the split in Shiv Sena (UBT), Fadnavis said, “The operation has been successful, and the body is in very good health. There is no need for anyone to worry. Those who need to introspect should do so.”
He blamed Uddhav Thackeray for the crisis and said the developments reflected growing confidence in the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde also appeared to confirm the operation’s success.
“Whenever I undertake an operation, I complete it fully. We have already shown it,” Shinde said.
When asked about Operation Tiger, he added, “You will get breaking news soon. The MPs are abused, and then you want them back. There is a chemical locha.”
Fadnavis further asserted that Shinde was carrying forward the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind now that the Shiv Sena being run by Eknath Shinde is the real Shiv Sena. Balasaheb’s bow-and-arrow symbol is with Eknath Shinde, and he is carrying forward Balasaheb’s ideology,” Fadnavis said.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray signalled that he would fight back against the rebellion. Addressing party workers in Bhandup, which falls under rebel MP Sanjay Patil’s Mumbai North-East constituency, he asserted that he continues to lead the original Shiv Sena.
“I am not demoralised. This is a sin of the BJP. Shiv Sena, headed by me, is the only Shiv Sena,” Thackeray said.
He accused the BJP of attempting to “steal or finish” the Shiv Sena and hit back at Amit Shah’s recent remarks suggesting that only one Shiv Sena remains under Eknath Shinde’s leadership.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
