After facing a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray is likely to face another massive setback as six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are anticipated to shift to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, sources told ABP News.
Through 'Operation Tiger', six out of the nine MPs from the Thackeray faction may join the Shinde camp in the upcoming days. Sources indicate that efforts are underway to complete this operation before the upcoming parliamentary session.
The discussion for this operation had been going on for several days. However, due to the anti-defection law, efforts were being made to secure the support of six MPs. In order to avoid legal action under this law, it is important that at least six out of the nine Thackeray faction MPs break away. If this condition is not fulfilled, the group defecting could face consequences under the anti-defection law. Therefore, it took Shinde group time to gather the required number of MPs.
Reports suggest that the six MPs are now ready to join the Shinde faction and will soon be officially inducted. Additionally, sources say that the BJP is also supporting Shinde in this operation. Besides, there are reports that suggest that a few MLAs are in touch with the Shinde camp to join the Shiv Sena. However, no final decision has been made regarding them yet.
Mahayuti alliance, which comprises of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP had secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, bagging 235 out of the 288 seats. Thereafter, Devendra Fadnavis was named the Maharashtra CM, while Eknath Shinde was finalised for the Deputy CM post.
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