MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena Chief Eknath Shinde on Friday categorically denied recent media reports suggesting a secret meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
In a strongly worded message, Dy CM Shinde said, “The reports regarding the alleged meeting with Shiv Sena(UBT) MPs are completely baseless, malicious, and intended to create misunderstandings. No such meeting has taken place. For the past year and a half, rumours have been circulating that UBT MPs are breaking away to join the Shiv Sena. However, there is no truth to them. These are merely rumours. Therefore, the media should avoid publishing such reports just for the sake of creating a sensation."
Dy CM Shinde’s clarification comes after media reports claimed that seven Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena(UBT) faction were in contact with him. The reports, which detailed a clandestine meeting dubbed "Operation Tiger", sparked chaos across the state's political landscape before being vehemently denied by all involved parties.
According to media reports, a secret meeting allegedly took place on Wednesday night in Thane. It was claimed that Dy CM Shinde’s convoy took a sudden detour to facilitate a private discussion that lasted until the early hours of Thursday morning. Dy CM Shinde and his son, MP Shrikant Shinde, were reportedly in attendance.