Constitution Debate – Aaditya Thackeray Alleges BJP Pushes Defections to Gain Strength
Constitution Debate – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to weaken opposition parties through political defections in an effort to increase its strength in Parliament. His remarks came amid reports suggesting that several Shiv Sena (UBT) Members of Parliament may shift their support to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction.
Speaking at a press conference, Thackeray claimed that the BJP had failed to secure a clear majority on its own in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and was now seeking to improve its numbers by encouraging splits within rival parties. He argued that voters had already delivered their verdict during the general election and that attempts to engineer defections were contrary to that mandate.
Allegations Over Constitutional Intentions
During his address, Thackeray alleged that the BJP’s larger objective was linked to gaining enough parliamentary support to pursue constitutional changes. Referring to the Constitution drafted under the guidance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he said the electorate had prevented such efforts by limiting the BJP’s tally in the Lok Sabha.
According to Thackeray, the party was now attempting to rebuild political strength by targeting opposition lawmakers and encouraging them to change sides. He maintained that such actions undermined democratic principles and weakened the opposition’s role in Parliament.
Reports of MPs Joining Shinde Camp
The controversy has intensified following speculation that six of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs could join the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Political circles have referred to the reported move as “Operation Tiger,” though no formal announcement has been made regarding all the legislators involved.
Thackeray criticized the MPs who are reportedly considering the switch, arguing that they had secured victory with the support of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. He said their electoral success was the result of a collective campaign involving alliance partners and that changing political loyalties after the election would amount to disregarding the mandate of voters.
Criticism of BJP Governance
Expanding his criticism beyond the defection issue, Thackeray questioned the BJP’s administrative record. He alleged that the party focused more on political campaigns than governance and pointed to civic administration in Mumbai and Pune as examples of what he described as governance shortcomings.
He also accused political rivals of using resources to attract elected representatives from opposition parties. According to Thackeray, funds appeared to be available for political manoeuvring while concerns related to employee payments and welfare initiatives continued to persist.
Claim Over Shiv Sena Identity
Reiterating his faction’s position, Thackeray asserted that Shiv Sena (UBT) represented the original legacy of the party established by Bal Thackeray. He argued that the Shinde-led group was operating with the backing of the BJP and therefore did not represent the original organisational identity of Shiv Sena.
Attendance Row Fuels Speculation
The latest political uncertainty gained momentum after a parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi last week. Of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s nine Lok Sabha MPs, only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the gathering. The absence of six MPs sparked fresh speculation about an impending split within the party.
The lawmakers whose absence drew attention include Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. Reports indicate that Patil and Rajenimbalkar have already announced their decision to part ways with the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp.
Political Tensions Continue to Rise
Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut stated that efforts to seek the disqualification of absent MPs had already been initiated. The situation became more intense after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs had expressed support for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and aligned themselves with his faction.
As Maharashtra witnesses another phase of political turbulence, the developments have revived memories of the 2022 rebellion that transformed the state’s political landscape. With defections once again dominating headlines, attention remains focused on whether Shiv Sena (UBT) can prevent another major division within the party.