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Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs – Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar – joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Eknath Shinde with his son Skrikant at a roadshow. (PTI File)
Shrikant Shinde, the Shiv Sena leader credited with executing ‘Operation Tiger’, on Monday suggested that more political realignments could follow after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs crossed over to the Eknath Shinde camp.
Reacting to the latest political shift, Shrikant Shinde said the series of surprises was far from over. “Explosions after explosions will continue to happen. For the last four years, we have only been creating political shocks,” he said.
Hinting at further developments, he added, “Yeh to bas trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai” (this is just the trailer, the main story is yet to unfold).
Six MPs switch sides
The development came after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs including Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, officially joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The move has increased the number of Shiv Sena MPs from seven to 13, strengthening the party’s position in Parliament. The six MPs had skipped the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on June 17, triggering speculation about their future political plans.
Among them, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar had publicly confirmed earlier that they were moving to the Shinde camp.
Shinde takes a swipe at media
Commenting on Maharashtra’s political developments and the extensive media attention they received, Shrikant Shinde joked about journalists chasing multiple breaking stories. “And tell me, wasn’t today enough for you? Two major news stories, both national headlines, how many do you want in a single day?” he said.
He further remarked, “Take something tomorrow, the day after, or even later. I think even you must be tired by now, breaking news after breaking news since morning. How much more will you keep running around? Now take some rest today, stay calm. Tomorrow, we will start afresh once again.”
‘Second phase’ of political realignment
Welcoming the six MPs into his party, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described their induction as the “second phase” of the political realignment that began with his revolt against Uddhav Thackeray in 2022.
Shinde said all formalities had been completed and that the MPs had officially become part of the Shiv Sena. He described his faction as the true inheritor of Bal Thackeray’s ideology.
Calling the development a “sixer” for his camp, he said the struggle of his faction had always been aimed at protecting the vision and values of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Bal Thackeray’s ideology
Maharashtra Transport Minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik said the six MPs were influenced by the work of Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and MP Shrikant Shinde.
According to Sarnaik, the MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and decided to join the Shiv Sena because they wanted to follow the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
The latest defections mark a significant boost for the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and add a new chapter to the political realignment that has continued since the split in the party nearly four years ago.
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