Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) Amid claims by Eknath Shinde camp that several lawmakers and legislators of Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with them, Rajan Salvi, former MLA and a long-time Thackeray loyalist quit the party and formally joined ‘Shinde Sena’ along with his supporters.
The switchover by three-time MLA into Shinde camp has ignited fresh speculations about more lawmakers switching their loyalties in days to come, as part of the ‘Operation Tiger’. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders however have dismissed report of ‘sulking leaders and their likely crossover’ as mere rumours.
Aaditya Thackeray’s visit to the national capital on Thursday to meet Rahul Gandhi and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal to rally support for the INDIA Bloc gave more fodder to the brewing controversy.
Meanwhile, top SS (UBT) leaders speaking to IANS took derisive taunts at attempts to poach its legislators and called it a BJP plot to destabilise the Opposition in the state, ahead of Municipal elections this year.
Priyanka Chaturvedi scotched the speculations and hit out at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, saying, “Ever since he became Deputy Chief Minister, after losing all his powers, he wakes up every morning and spreads such rumours.”
On Aaditya Thackeray’s visit to Delhi, she asserted that there was no internal discord within the party.
“All of us MPs were together, we had a good lunch, and yesterday Aaditya Thackeray met Rahul Gandhi. Today, he met Arvind Kejriwal. It was a positive tour, with a strong outreach showing our commitment towards the INDIA Bloc,” she said.
Mocking the ‘Operation Tiger’, she remarked, “These people are punctured tigers. Amit Shah has inflated them like lions, but the day he deflates them, they won’t know where they’ll end up. To those who thrive on rumours, I say again — wake up, you are being used.”
SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also rejected the claims, stating that Shinde should focus on his own position rather than worrying about others, as he is “humiliated” by the BJP daily.
“Eknath Shinde is like an appendix in the Shiv Sena-BJP government — he should worry about when he will be removed,” Raut said.
Though SS(UBT) have outrightly rejected any chance or score for defections within it, those from the Shinde camp evaded clear answers when asked about the same.
Shambhuraj Desai, Maharashtra minister from Shinde-led Shiv Sena, dismissed the reports as ‘media hype’.
“You run such hyped stories. Have we ever said anything about an operation? During Parliament sessions, members meet for dinners, just like during Assembly sessions. That doesn’t mean an operation is underway,” Desai told reporters.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Aashtikar Patil Nagesh Rao also dodged questions on ‘Operation Tiger’ and said he wasn’t aware of any such plot.
–IANS
sd/mr/dan
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
