'Baseless, malicious': Dy CM Eknath Shinde denies secret meet with Shiv Sena(UBT) MPs

Mumbai, April 10 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena Chief Eknath Shinde on Friday categorically denied recent media reports suggesting a secret meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

In a strongly worded message, Dy CM Shinde said, “The reports regarding the alleged meeting with Shiv Sena(UBT) MPs are completely baseless, malicious, and intended to create misunderstandings. No such meeting has taken place. For the past year and a half, rumours have been circulating that UBT MPs are breaking away to join the Shiv Sena. However, there is no truth to them. These are merely rumours. Therefore, the media should avoid publishing such reports just for the sake of creating a sensation."

Dy CM Shinde’s clarification comes after media reports claimed that seven Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena(UBT) faction were in contact with him. The reports, which detailed a clandestine meeting dubbed "Operation Tiger", sparked chaos across the state's political landscape before being vehemently denied by all involved parties.

According to media reports, a secret meeting allegedly took place on Wednesday night in Thane. It was claimed that Dy CM Shinde’s convoy took a sudden detour to facilitate a private discussion that lasted until the early hours of Thursday morning. Dy CM Shinde and his son, MP Shrikant Shinde, were reportedly in attendance.

Several UBT MPs were allegedly offered a chance to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Names mentioned in the media reports included Arvind Sawant, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Rajabhau Waje, with others like Omraje Nimbalkar reportedly joining via video call.

Following the uproar, several Shiv Sena(UBT) leaders came forward to debunk the claims.

Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South constituency) strongly denied the meeting and reiterated his loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray, stating he would never join Dy CM Shinde.

Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv) challenged the media to provide photographic evidence. "I have been an MP for two terms, and these rumours have followed me for years. I won't even dignify false news with an explanation," he said.

Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani) clarified via phone that he has been in Pune for the last two days and has had no contact with the Shinde camp.

Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) stated he was not present at any such meeting and had no knowledge of its occurrence.

Similarly, Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim) said he received no invitation and was not present either physically or online.

This development comes shortly after Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting at his residence, 'Matoshree', where all UBT MPs reportedly pledged their unwavering loyalty to the party.

While sources suggest that movements are happening behind the scenes to secure UBT leaders, the official stance from the Shinde camp remains that no formal "Operation Tiger" is currently underway. For now, the "political earthquake" appears to be more of a media tremor than a reality on the ground.

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