Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, 27 June launched a scathing attack on six defecting Lok Sabha MPs at a large rally in Hingoli, Maharashtra, alleging that the fracture in his party was not an 'Operation Tiger' engineered by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, but an 'Operation Devendra' — a calculated move by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership to neutralise Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as a future Prime Ministerial contender.

The 'Operation Devendra' Allegation

Thackeray dismissed the narrative that the poaching of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs was a Shinde-led power play. He argued instead that the real architect was the BJP hierarchy, which strategically orchestrated the defections to clip Fadnavis's wings and prevent him from emerging as a credible rival for the country's top post. He warned that the Shinde faction has no independent political future and will ultimately be discarded by the BJP once its utility is exhausted.

The rally came in direct response to the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led faction — a development that has shaken the opposition bloc ahead of upcoming state elections.

Hingoli MP Singled Out as 'Chief of Traitors'

Thackeray reserved his sharpest words for Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, one of the six defectors, whom he labelled the 'gaddaraancha sardar' — chief of traitors. He recounted a behind-the-scenes episode from a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi, where Yavatmal MP Sanjay Deshmukh reportedly told him he could not attend because prospective suitors were visiting to finalise his daughter's marriage. Thackeray alleged that Deshmukh was, in fact, negotiating his own political price tag at the time.

He accused the defecting MPs of switching loyalties primarily to secure political tickets and futures for their children — and pointedly threw the BJP's own 'Gharanashahi' (dynastic politics) charge back at the Shinde camp.

Grassroots Over Legislators, Thackeray Insists

Seeking to shore up party morale, Thackeray drew a firm distinction between elected representatives and the grassroots cadre. He declared that lawmakers are transient, but the true strength of Shiv Sena lies in its fiercely loyal 'Shiv Sainiks.' He described the defectors as 'wolves, foxes, and donkeys wearing tigers' skins' — figures the party had placed on its shoulders out of trust.

He also apologised to Hingoli voters for having backed candidates who later switched sides, noting that betrayal had occurred twice in the constituency. He questioned how the defectors would face the public to seek votes in future elections.

Governance Failures in the Crosshairs

Thackeray broadened his attack beyond internal party politics. He slammed ruling alliance ministers for travelling in chartered planes while farmers in Marathwada struggle to afford seeds and fertilisers. He raised concerns over the Shaktipeeth Highway project and the displacement of local landowners.

The former Chief Minister also targeted the government over recent paper leak scandals in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and NEET examinations, accusing the ruling combine of prioritising power politics over students' futures.

Call to Action Ahead of Elections

Concluding his address, Thackeray urged the people of Hingoli and Marathwada to create history in the upcoming elections by choosing loyalty over opportunism. He rallied the crowd, asserting that the departure of the rebels had only strengthened the resolve of those who remained — and that genuine loyalty cannot be purchased with money.