‘Operation Tiger’ is actually ‘Operation Devendra’ to stop Fadnavis from being a PM contender, claims Uddhav

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday launched an attack on six defecting MPs, alleging their exit was part of an “Operation Devendra” aimed at weakening chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s prospects in national politics.Addressing a rally in Hingoli, Thackeray said, “This is not Operation Tiger. I suspect it is Operation Devendra. Amit Shah wants to clip Devendra Fadnavis’ wings before he can enter the race for the prime minister’s post. They don’t want any politician from Maharashtra to reach Delhi, so he is being kept occupied here.”He questioned why the MPs joined deputy CM

Eknath Shinde

’s Shiv Sena instead of BJP, calling it a “big mystery,” and alleged a larger strategy behind the shift.

“If the question arises tomorrow about whom to support for prime minister, these MPs will vote for Amit Shah. This is the real arrangement behind breaking the Shiv Sena,” he said.Taking a swipe at Shinde, Thackeray added, “Note this down. Once his usefulness ends, he will be discarded.”Refuting claims that the defections were for development, Thackeray asked whether their move would stop farmers’ suicides, ensure complete farm loan waiver or secure crop insurance payouts. “Will these people now stand in front of Prime Minister

Narendra Modi

and raise these questions? They had that courage while they were in Shiv Sena.

Now they have become slaves,” he said. He also challenged the defectors to oppose the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway if they genuinely stood with the people.Apologising to party workers, he said, “I have come here not only to apologise but also to assure you that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to fight for your rights and justice. My commitment is to the people.”Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut too attacked the defectors. He added, “Eknath Shinde and Narendra Modi are running a factory that manufactures traitors.”