Thackeray

Sachin Ahir's switch to Eknath Shinde’s faction is described as a setback for Thackeray. The article also covers developments in Haldia Petrochemicals in West Bengal, the SIR of electoral rolls in four states and Delhi, and rising tensions over the Ram Temple donation case.

Uddhav Thackeray offers to step down as Shiv Sena (UBT) president, while Eknath Shinde hints at more defections. Mr. Thackeray calls for 'Operation Lotus' in response to 'Operation Tiger' by Shiv Sena and denies merger rumors with Congress.

Shiv Sena, once a Thackeray-led party representing the 'Marathi Manoos' since 1966, is now diminished in influence, playing a secondary role to the BJP with Thackeray's control significantly weakened.