'Operation Devendra'? Uddhav Thackeray links MPs' exit to Fadnavis' PM prospects

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray has alleged that six MPs of his party were poached and subsequently joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to keep Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis out of the race for the Prime Minister’s post in future.

'Operation Devendra' claim

Referring to ‘Operation Tiger’, the alleged plan to ensure that the six MPs join the Shiv Sena, Thackeray said “Operation Devendra” was in play behind the latest defection from his party.

Also Read: At 60, Shiv Sena battles its biggest survival crisis; will the tiger roar again?

"The MPs were taken away when there were no elections. Why did they not join the BJP? I suspect this is actually 'Operation Devendra'," said Thackeray, adding that the exit of the sis MPs was engineered to “keep Fadnavis at a certain level so that he does not enter the (future) race for the prime minister's post”.

Draws Shivraj parallel

Uddhav also mentioned former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, stating that despite the BJP winning in the last Assembly election in the state, he was not made the Chief Minister.

Also Read: Operation Tiger buzz: Why Uddhav's Sena is bracing for tough days | Capital Beat

“Like Shivraj Singh Chauhan was sidelined despite the BJP winning in Madhya Pradesh only because of him, Fadnavis too is on the way to being sidelined,” said Uddhav as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

Fadnavis hits back

However, the Maharashtra Chief Minister appeared to be rather amused with the jibe, saying, “I am a human being. I don't have wings, so who can clip them? I have the blessings of Maharashtra's 14 crore people and my senior leaders, so there is no need to worry”.

Also Read: Six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs join Eknath Shinde camp in major blow to Uddhav Thackeray

Speaking to reporters in Palghar on Sunday, Fadnavis also shrugged off Thackeray’s “helpless” jibe, which the latter made regarding the recent incident of the two boarding the same flight.

Flight jibe answered

“I have a habit. Whenever I board a flight, I watch a movie, OTT, or web series that is downloaded on my phone. That is what I was doing throughout the duration of the flight. So, when did he see my helplessness?” said Fadnavis.

Taking a dig at Thackeray, the Chief Minister said, "I accept his good wishes. If he had given them in 2019, the picture might have been different. Since he could not do so, I accept those good wishes now."