Maharashtra feud deepens as six Shiv Sena MPs defect, Thackeray attacks BJP

Six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs have joined the Eknath Shinde‑led faction, cutting Uddhav Thackeray’s parliamentary strength to three members. Thackeray accused the ruling BJP of engineering the split, labeling its alleged “Operation Tiger” as “Operation Devendra” designed to curb Devendra Fadnavis’s prospects as a future prime minister. He also alleged corruption in the Ram Mandir case, saying, “These people committed theft at the Ram temple.”

BJP representatives responded with sharp criticism. MLA Pravin Darekar claimed Thackeray had “betrayed the ideology of Balasaheb” and suggested the leader was influenced by “pro‑Pakistan tendencies.” Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters Thackeray should “worry about his own party, which is declining day by day.”

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied any weakening, stating he has “no wings to be clipped” and enjoys the “blessings of Maharashtra’s 14 crore people.” A shared flight between Fadnavis and Thackeray sparked speculation, which Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde downplayed, calling Fadnavis “very clever” and dismissing any political significance.