Shinde Faction Blasts UBT Over “Defection Rumors”

Naresh Mhaske Claims UBT Leaders Are Masterminds of Defection Rumors

Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske launched a scathing attack, stating that leaders of the UBT faction are making desperate attempts to spread fake news like “Operation Tiger” and claims of MPs defecting. He says that according to him, this is a tactic to divert attention from their consecutive electoral defeat, leadership failures, and erupting internal dissent.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Parliamentary Party Leader Dr Shrikant Shinde have confirmed that no meeting have taken place regarding UBT MPs. Mhaske claimed there is a massive internal dissatisfaction with the UBT leadership. He alleged that party has “abandoned” its workers and representatives, leading to a sense of betrayal.

Mhaske specifically blamed Sanjay Raut for spreading false narratives, remarking that Raut’s “conspiracies” have brought the UBT faction to a “near-dead state.” He further claimed a “cold-war” is brewing between Aditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut, suggesting that if Aditya Thackeray begins questioning Raut, the latter’s position within the party will become precarious.

Mhaske concluded by stating that while Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership is “sinking,” the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde has emerged as a leading regional party in the region.