Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Monday that his efforts to consolidate support within the Shiv Sena have succeeded, describing the development as a complete accomplishment. Addressing a press conference following the induction of six Lok Sabha members from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction into his party, Shinde stated that he does not leave tasks unfinished.
The six MPs — Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar formally joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in accordance with party rules, the Constitution, and parliamentary procedures. Shinde emphasized that the move, referred to as “Operation Tiger,” had reached its successful conclusion.
“I don’t leave anything half done,” Shinde told reporters. “Yesterday I mentioned this, and today it stands before you Operation Tiger is successful. All these six MPs have been inducted into our party as per the rules, the Constitution, and parliamentary norms.”
He assured the new members that they would be treated with full respect and integrated as active workers. Recalling his own approach during his tenure as Chief Minister, Shinde said he continues to function like an ordinary party worker and expects the same commitment from the incoming MPs. Ministers in his government, he added, would work closely with them to address constituency issues, and he personally pledged support for resolving matters at the central level.
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Shinde attributed the influx of support to the party’s focus on development and adherence to core ideology. “For us, ideology matters. Those who moved away from it faced rejection by voters,” he remarked. He highlighted Maharashtra’s distinctive political culture and forward-looking outlook, noting that people are aligning with the party’s development agenda.
Reflecting on the 2022 split, Shinde pointed out that the decision taken at that time received public endorsement in subsequent elections. The faction, which began with 40 MLAs during the initial shift, grew to 60 following the polls, demonstrating strong voter backing.
The induction event included celebrations by party workers, underscoring the significance of the development for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This latest realignment further strengthens the faction’s position in the Lok Sabha.