NEW DELHI: The Opposition alliance could be facing another setback, this time from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Shiv Sena leader and MLC Krupal Tumane on Tuesday claimed that talks with seven Sena (UBT) MPs have reached the final stage under “Operation Tiger.“According to Tumane, the seven MPs are likely to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena before the upcoming Monsoon Session. If that happens, it would strengthen the NDA‘s numbers in Lok Sabha and come soon after the turmoil within the Trinamool Congress.Speaking to news agency PTI, Tumane said, “Seven Sena UBT MPs want to join us and work under Eknath Shinde‘s leadership. Sixteen of their MLAs are also in contact.”He made similar claims while speaking to news agency ANI.“Our discussion with the seven MPs (of Shiv Sena UBT) under ‘Operation Tiger’ has reached its final stage,” Tumane said.Explaining the situation, he compared it to a medical procedure and suggested that only the final step remains.“Just like when we go to a hospital for an operation, an investigation is conducted first, and reports are issued. Now, only the final date for the procedure needs to be fixed with the doctor. The operation will take place on that day,” he said.Tumane also indicated that the development is expected before the Monsoon Session begins.“This will happen before the monsoon session,” he said.While refusing to reveal further details, he expressed confidence that the MPs would eventually join the Shinde camp.“It’s not appropriate for us to share all the details. But it’s almost certain that they will join us,” Tumane said.He added that discussions have been under way for nearly a month and are now at an advanced stage.“These discussions have been ongoing for a month, but today it’s in the final stage,” he added.The claims come days after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut strongly dismissed speculation around “Operation Tiger” and insisted that the party remains united.Political circles in Maharashtra have been abuzz with reports that seven of the nine Sena (UBT) MPs are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and could switch sides.Amid the speculation, Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting of Sena (UBT) MPs in Mumbai on Sunday. After the meeting, Raut hit back and announced what he called “Operation Wolf.”“What Operation Tiger are you asking about? We are all tigers. We are going to launch Operation Wolf. We are not going to be scared. All our MPs and Parliamentary Party are intact, united and strong, and it will continue that way,” he said.Raut also said that all nine Sena (UBT) MPs attended the routine meeting chaired by Uddhav Thackeray, calling it a sign of the party’s unity.However, the development could deal another blow to the INDIA bloc, especially after the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress was rocked by a major rebellion following its defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, ending 15 years of uninterrupted rule.More than 50 MLAs in the assembly and over 20 MPs in Parliament have shown dissent from Didi and emerged as rebel camp, majorly weakening the TMC’s organisational and legislative strength.At least 20 rebel MPs, led by former Mamata loyalist and now rebel leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, have also openly extended support to the NDA in the Lok Sabha, further eroding the party’s influence at the national level.
