'I apologise': Uddhav Thackeray says Shiv sainiks fired up amid MPs rebellion

NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday sought to project confidence amid a fresh rebellion in his party, asserting that Shiv Sainiks were not demoralised by the defection of six Lok Sabha MPs and remained “fired up”, while apologising to voters who had elected the lawmakers who later switched sides. Addressing the party’s 60th Foundation Day event in Mumbai, Thackeray said, “Shiv Sainiks are not disheartened but fired up,” in an apparent reference to the revolt that has triggered speculation of another split in the party. In a direct message to party supporters, he said, “I apologise to electors who in 2024 voted for Lok Sabha MPs who have now defected,” expressing regret over the departure of six of the party’s nine MPs, according to news agency PTI. The former Maharashtra chief minister also dismissed suggestions that Shiv Sena (UBT) could merge with the Congress, saying the party had maintained its independent identity despite being allied with the BJP for three decades. “If we didn't merge with BJP after 30 years of alliance, how can we merge with Congress?” Thackeray said. Responding to criticism about his leadership style, Thackeray defended his outreach efforts across the state and pointed to the party’s electoral performance. “If I didn't meet party workers or travel across Maharashtra, how did we win elections?” he asked. Taking aim at the political situation in the country, Thackeray warned that India was moving towards a “one party, no election” system, which he described as a threat to democracy. The remarks came against the backdrop of a crisis within Shiv Sena (UBT), with six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs skipping a recent parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, fuelling speculation that they may join the ruling alliance. The development has sparked talk of “Operation Tiger”, a possible fresh split in the party. At the foundation day event, Thackeray was joined by party leaders including Aaditya Thackeray. Earlier in the day, Aaditya had attacked the rebel MPs, describing them as “shameless, ungrateful, and corrupt individuals” who had betrayed the people responsible for their electoral victories, according to news agency ANI. The latest rebellion comes nearly four years after the 2022 split led by Eknath Shinde, which resulted in the Election Commission recognising the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and awarding it the party’s traditional bow-and-arrow symbol. Since then, the Uddhav-led faction has functioned as Shiv Sena (UBT) with the torch symbol.