mid ongoing speculation surrounding “Operation Tiger” and reports of possible defections from Shiv Sena (UBT), the party on Thursday convened a parliamentary meeting in Delhi and issued a whip to all its Members of Parliament, warning of disciplinary action against those who fail to attend.
Addressing the media, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and party leader Sanjay Raut said that the party had ensured the whip reached all MPs through multiple channels, including hand delivery, email and WhatsApp.
“Today, our parliamentary party leader called a meeting and all MPs have received the whip. We have personally spoken to all of them as well. Looking at the way the media is reporting, it seems as if 15 MPs are leaving rather than nine,” Raut remarked.
Raut said party chief Uddhav Thackeray had personally spoken to party MPs on Thursday morning and instructed them to attend the meeting.
“We have spoken to all MPs and they will be coming for the meeting,” he said, while adding that he was unaware of how many MPs had already reached Delhi.
Responding to reports that several MPs may switch sides, Raut asserted that earlier attempts to split the party had failed and would not succeed this time either.
“The names being circulated are the same people who were involved in previous attempts. They succeeded once, but they will not be able to succeed now. If they manage to break the party again, we will not use our father’s name. Our father is Balasaheb Thackeray,” Raut said.
Party leader and Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant said disciplinary action against MPs who fail to comply with the party whip would be discussed with Uddhav Thackeray.
“If anyone does not follow the party whip, we will speak to Uddhav Thackeray and take action accordingly,” Sawant said.
Raut also claimed that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had spoken to party leaders and advised them not to allow defectors to go unchallenged politically.
Meanwhile, Sawant challenged reports suggesting a new group of MPs was being formed.
“Let them show the letter and photographs of the MPs who are supposedly forming a new group. Show us the proof,” he said.
In a strongly worded remark, Raut said the party would follow the teachings of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in dealing with those who betray the party.
“We will follow what Balasaheb Thackeray told us wherever they are found, confront them,” Raut said.
Despite claims that all MPs had been contacted, sources indicated that only four MPs Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje were present when the parliamentary meeting began, intensifying speculation over the attendance of other party MPs and the future of the alleged Operation Tiger.
