Mumbai, June 19 (IANS). Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Friday targeted Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) at the party’s 60th foundation day celebrations.
Amidst the ongoing speculations regarding ‘Operation Tiger’, Eknath Shinde gave big hints about the political change that will happen soon. He said, “This is just a trailer, the real film is yet to come.”
Addressing party workers, Shinde responded sharply to opposition leaders who were targeting him over the possible defection. He said that people were asking what he would say and who would be on the stage.
He said, “Look, today this lion is standing right in front of you. For the last few days, you have been noticing that some dogs are barking every day.” He remarked that dogs bark in packs, while the lion walks alone.
Without naming Uddhav Thackeray or Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Shinde responded to the UBT faction’s warning of ‘Operation Tudwa’. Raut had threatened that if rebel MLAs came to his constituencies, party workers would crush them. Shinde mocked Raut’s political stature and issued an open and strong challenge to the UBT leadership.
He said that some people had claimed that he would operate on wolves, but he jokingly said, “He is just a compounder. How can a compounder operate? Here, Shrikant Shinde (his son) is the real doctor. Even though I am not a doctor, I still know how to operate and to operate, one needs the heart of a lion, not that of a wolf.”
Recalling his rebellion in June 2022, Shinde said the same leaders had threatened him four years ago, when he returned to Mumbai. He told me that I would have to come via Worli. Mumbai is not anyone’s personal property. I came alone by road, did not use the helicopter at the airport and also stayed in Worli. At that time, the people who were threatening me were sitting in their homes watching me online.
Supporting the views of senior leader Ramdas Kadam, Shinde warned that if the UBT faction talks about Operation Tudwa then they should have the courage to confront his faction. He said, will our zealous Shiv Sainiks leave your feet safe to crush someone? Our workers follow the fanatic ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray.
–IANS
PSK/DKP
