19 June,2026 11:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde addresses workers on party`s Foundation Day at NESCO Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, on Friday. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), dismissing threats of "Operation Tudava" and hinting at further political realignments within the rival camp, news agency IANS reported.
Speaking at the Shiv Sena's 60th Foundation Day rally in Mumbai, Shinde fuelled speculation surrounding the reported defection of six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Shinde-led faction.
"This is just the trailer; the movie is still to come," Shinde said, suggesting that more political developments could follow in the coming days.
Without naming Uddhav Thackeray or Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Shinde took aim at leaders who had criticised him over the reported defections.
"People were asking what I would say and who would come on stage. Look, this tiger stands right in front of you today," he said.
In a veiled swipe at his opponents, Shinde added that while "dogs bark in packs", a lion walks alone.
The remarks came in response to warnings from the UBT faction about an "Operation Tudava", a reference to statements made by party leaders that rebel lawmakers would face resistance if they visited their constituencies.
Mocking the threat, Shinde said some leaders were talking about conducting an "operation" despite lacking the ability to do so.
Referring to his son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, he said, "He is the real doctor. Even though I am not a doctor, I know how to operate. To perform an operation, you need the heart of a tiger, not a wolf."
Recalling his 2022 rebellion against Thackeray, Shinde said similar threats had been made against him when he returned to Mumbai after the split in the Shiv Sena.
"They told me I had to come via Worli. Mumbai is nobody's personal estate. I came by road and even stopped in Worli," he said.
Shinde also warned that Shiv Sena workers would firmly respond to any attempts to target leaders from his faction, asserting that his party remained committed to Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology.
(With IANS inputs)
