NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule alleges 'political manipulation' ahead of 2029 elections, raises concern on Operation Tiger

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Thursday alleged that democracy in the country is "on the verge of ending," claiming that political parties were being broken ahead of the 2029 elections.

She also expressed doubt over whether justice would be delivered to Shiv Sena (UBT) by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in matters related to party defections.

Raising sharp criticism of the current political climate, Sule said democracy in the country was "on the verge of ending," alleging that political divisions were being created within families and households for electoral gains.


She further alleged that while parties often vote unanimously on key legislation such as the GST Bill, there was still "political manipulation" and attempts to break parties ahead of the 2029 elections.

"Democracy in this country is on the verge of ending. Elections are due in 2029, and families and homes are being broken apart politically. Whenever an important bill comes, everyone votes together unanimously, as happened during the GST Bill. If that is the case, then what is the need for all this political manipulation and breaking parties?" Sule said.

Her remarks come amid political developments in Maharashtra, which are being described as "Operation Tiger," an attempt to engineer a defection of several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led faction.

Sule further said that while differences of opinion may exist, such incidents do not align with Maharashtra's political culture, referring to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, in which rebel MP Sanjay Dina Patil had issued death threats to people protesting against his defection.

"No one should behave like this. There may be differences of opinion, but such things do not suit Maharashtra's culture," she said.

She also expressed doubts on whether the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, will give justice to Sena (UBT) on the defection of several party MPs to the Eknath Shinde faction, in a move that could have implications on the NDA's total strength in the House.

"I have personally experienced all this. From the Election Commission to the Supreme Court, we have only received adjournments. That is why I doubt justice will be delivered," Sule added.