File photo: Uddhav Thackeray, Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis (PTI) NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday alleged that the BJP’s so-called “Operation Tiger”—the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs from his faction to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena earlier this week—was aimed at keeping Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, a BJP member, “in check.”Thackeray accused Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah of planning the defections to prevent Fadnavis from becoming a contender for the prime minister’s chair.”The MPs defected despite there being no elections. Why didn’t they join the BJP instead? I suspect this is actually ‘Operation Devendra.’ Shah might have orchestrated it to keep Fadnavis at a certain level so that he does not enter the race for the prime minister’s post, ” Thackeray said at a rally in Hingoli, a constituency represented by one of the six former Shiv Sena (UBT) members who switched sides.If the need arises tomorrow, these rebels will vote for Amit Shah for the post of prime minister,” he added.The former Maharashtra chief minister also claimed that the so-called “Operation Tiger”—a reference to the tiger symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena—was aimed at helping the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to facilitate the passage of a delimitation bill.”They want to get the delimitation bill passed so that the entire country falls into the hands of north India. It does not matter how many farmers commit suicide, how many paper leaks take place or how many students end their lives. What they want is MPs,” Uddhav Thackeray remarked.The Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo is touring the constituencies of the six MPs who joined the Shiv Sena, a BJP ally. Deptuty chief minister Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022 split the then-undivided Shiv Sena, led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra, and paved the way for Shinde to serve as chief minister for the next two years.The Election Commission recognises Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena.Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s remarks came a day after he found himself on the same IndiGo flight as Fadnavis, as they travelled from Mumbai to Nagpur, the chief minister’s hometown.This triggered political speculation, which the BJP played down, saying the two leaders are political rivals but are not personal enemies.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFadnavis, Uddhav Share Flight Amid Shiv Sena Turmoil After Six MPs Switch Sides | WatchPM Modi Meets Jonathan, World’s Oldest Living Land Animal, During Seychelles VisitAkal Takht Summons Sikh MLAs; Bhagwant Mann Calls Crucial AAP Huddle In Punjab | WatchIndian Vessels Desh Suraksha, SSL Kaveri Sail Through Hormuz; Third Takes U-TurnDMK Alliance Rocked As Vaiko’s MDMK Quits SPA After Nine Years Of Partnership | WatchClass 12 Student Sarthak Sidhant, Who Exposed CBSE Tender Procedure, Launches 1.66 Cr Record Portal’India Deserves Permanent Seat At UNSC’: Seychelles Foreign Minister Ahead Of PM Modi’s VisitFormer CM Gehlot Targets BJP Over Kanhaiya Lal Case, Says Justice Still Eludes FamilySonia Gandhi Slams Modi Govt Over Gaza, Says India’s ‘Silence And Inaction’ Cannot Be ExplainedCoaching Firing Case: Court Stays Khan Sir’s Arrest Till June 30, Hearing Ahead In Firing Case123PhotostoriesBollywood stars who follow the early dinner rule for fitness: From Anushka Sharma to Akshay Kumar5 common mistakes people make while buying diamondsFrom the ‘Mahakumbh of Tantrics’ to the sacred red water: 5 fascinating facts about Ambubachi Mela, India’s unique Menstruation FestivalEating dinner too late? Doctors warn this everyday habit could quietly affect your kidneys and metabolism10 beautiful baby boy names inspired by ancient gods and their powerful meanings7 simple ingredients to add more fibre to your rajmaIs your desk snack stash secretly affecting your blood sugar? Doctors explainInside Sunita Ahuja’s lavish Rs 16 crore home: Stunning living room, stylish bar, scenic balcony and more5 budget-friendly décor ideas for a small balcony you’ll actually want to use7 foods Indian households once made entirely from scratch123Hot PicksChinese proverb of the dayJapanese Proverb Of The DayCGPSC SI Prelims 2026FIFA world cup 2026Rams FanRam Temple DonationNigerian Proverb of the dayUS Strike on IranKetan Agarwal MurderTop TrendingK BhagyarajMumbai Local Train DeathRam Temple Donation RowFIFA World Cup 2026NFL TradeUS Iran CeasefirePriyanka GandhiSergei IvanovMK StalinMumbai Local Train News
NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday alleged that the BJP’s so-called “Operation Tiger”—the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs from his faction to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena earlier this week—was aimed at keeping Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, a BJP member, “in check.“Thackeray accused Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah of planning the defections to prevent Fadnavis from becoming a contender for the prime minister’s chair.“The MPs defected despite there being no elections. Why didn’t they join the BJP instead? I suspect this is actually ‘Operation Devendra.’ Shah might have orchestrated it to keep Fadnavis at a certain level so that he does not enter the race for the prime minister’s post, ” Thackeray said at a rally in Hingoli, a constituency represented by one of the six former Shiv Sena (UBT) members who switched sides.If the need arises tomorrow, these rebels will vote for Amit Shah for the post of prime minister,” he added.The former Maharashtra chief minister also claimed that the so-called “Operation Tiger”—a reference to the tiger symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena—was aimed at helping the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to facilitate the passage of a delimitation bill.“They want to get the delimitation bill passed so that the entire country falls into the hands of north India. It does not matter how many farmers commit suicide, how many paper leaks take place or how many students end their lives. What they want is MPs,” Uddhav Thackeray remarked.The Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo is touring the constituencies of the six MPs who joined the Shiv Sena, a BJP ally. Deptuty chief minister Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022 split the then-undivided Shiv Sena, led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government in Maharashtra, and paved the way for Shinde to serve as chief minister for the next two years.The Election Commission recognises Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena.Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s remarks came a day after he found himself on the same IndiGo flight as Fadnavis, as they travelled from Mumbai to Nagpur, the chief minister’s hometown.This triggered political speculation, which the BJP played down, saying the two leaders are political rivals but are not personal enemies.(With PTI inputs)
