Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti alliance, alleging that a massive horse-trading operation -- dubbed "Operation Tiger" -- is underway to poach opposition lawmakers ahead of the Maharashtra Legislature's upcoming monsoon session.
Flanked by only three of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs -- Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South Central) and Rajabhau Waje (Nashik) -- Raut attempted to project a defiant front amid intense speculation that a significant section of Uddhav Thackeray's parliamentary unit is on the verge of defecting to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Raut alleged that opposition MPs were being offered huge sums of money to switch sides and claimed that chartered aircraft had been arranged to transport dissident lawmakers.
"I have solid information that Rs 15 crore each was being delivered to MPs as an advance. Charter flights were kept ready at three locations, including Nanded and Pune, to bring them to Delhi. But let me make one thing clear -- Operation Tiger is not going to be that easy. Breaking the Shiv Sena (UBT) is impossible because we are the real tigers," he said.
He also claimed that MPs were being promised up to Rs 50 crore to defect.
"I got a call from an important person. He told me the MPs have been promised Rs 50 crore, with Rs 15 crore as an advance. MPs are being bought in Maharashtra," Raut alleged.
Raut dismissed reports that six to seven Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had already reached Delhi to submit a breakaway letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling it a "false narrative" being spread by the BJP and the Shinde camp to demoralise party workers ahead of the June 19 Shiv Sena Foundation Day celebrations.
Addressing the rumoured dissidents directly, Raut issued a stern warning, reminding them that they were elected on the Mashaal (Flaming Torch) symbol due to the efforts of Uddhav Thackeray and party workers.
"Our MPs explicitly took oaths in the name of Saibaba, Tulja Bhavani, Balasaheb Thackeray and their own families, promising they would never betray the mandate," he said.
According to Raut, only four Lok Sabha MPs attended the June 14 meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray in person -- Arvind Sawant, Rajabhau Waje, Anil Desai and Sanjay Dina Patil. The remaining five MPs joined through video conferencing and pledged loyalty to the party leadership.
"One MP took an oath in the name of Sai Baba four separate times. Another swore on his daughter's life, and a third swore by Goddess Bhavani. When people take such sacred oaths, we are forced to trust them," he said.
Raut then launched a sharp attack on the alleged rebels.
"Balasaheb loved them like sons, and Uddhav ji treated them like brothers, yet they chose to betray them. They are cowards. Treachery is in their veins. You were elected entirely on our symbol and through Uddhav Thackeray's hard work. No one has the right to be dishonest," he said.
At one point during the press conference, Raut used abusive language while referring to those suspected of planning to leave the party and urged media organisations not to censor his remarks.
Defending Raut's outburst, Anil Desai later said, "Whatever is said, these are slangs, it is not meant for anyone particularly. When an emotionally sensitive person, who has spent 50 years of his life in politics in the public sphere, speaks, such things happen."
Desai added that the remarks were not directed at any specific individual.
Raut further alleged that the ruling alliance was using pending legal cases to pressure MPs into switching sides. He specifically referred to Osmanabad MP Omraje Nimbalkar.
"Omraje Nimbalkar's father's murder trial is underway and the verdict is expected soon. He was allegedly told that if he wanted the verdict to go in his favour, he should join the ruling camp. This is the level of pressure being applied," Raut claimed.
Issuing a direct challenge to potential defectors, Raut said they should resign from their posts before switching sides.
"If anyone wants to leave, they must first resign from Parliament, give up their positions and face the voters again. The people of Maharashtra are watching and they will not remain silent," he said.
Raut also warned that public anger could erupt if another split similar to the 2022 Shiv Sena rebellion takes place.
"MPs don't have a right to betray the party. This time people won't tolerate it. There will be a reaction," he said.
Despite Raut's aggressive defence, the visual reality of the press conference intensified speculation, as only three of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs stood alongside him.
The crisis stems from growing internal friction within the Uddhav Thackeray camp, with reports suggesting that some leaders are unhappy over the increasing influence of Aaditya Thackeray in party affairs.
While Rajabhau Waje clarified that his visit to Delhi was only for a parliamentary committee meeting, leaders from the Shinde faction claimed that a major political shift was already underway.
Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Kripal Tumane said, "The final deal is done. At least 16 MLAs and seven MPs from Uddhav ji's side are in direct contact with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Only the formal date of execution remains."
To guard against any possible split, Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party leader Arvind Sawant has issued a whip directing all nine MPs to attend an emergency party meeting at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
"Those who are elected on the party symbol have no right to betray the party," Raut said while announcing the whip.
Sawant and Chief Whip Anil Desai have also written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him not to recognise any unauthorised breakaway faction within the party.
Operation Tiger -- the term used for the alleged attempts by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to poach elected representatives from the Uddhav camp -- gained momentum on Tuesday evening, two days after only four of the nine Sena (UBT) MPs attended a meeting convened by Uddhav Thackeray at his Mumbai residence.
With Shiv Sena set to celebrate its 60th Foundation Day on June 19, the political battle over Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy appears to have entered a crucial and increasingly bitter phase.
