Shiv Sena (UBT) has claimed in Saamana that the Uddhav Thackeray government fell in 2022 due to honeytraps and surveillance systems like Pegasus. Many MLAs and MPs were blackmailed into switching sides.
Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) has made a significant claim regarding the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in 2022. The editorial published in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Tuesday, July 22nd, stated that surveillance systems like Pegasus and hidden cameras were used to honeytrap MLAs and MPs. This led to the collapse of the MVA government.
18 MLAs and 4 MPs caught in honeytrap: Saamana
The article published in Saamana claims that a total of 18 MLAs and four MPs from the undivided Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were caught in such traps. These public representatives were allegedly blackmailed using videos or photos that would damage their image, forcing them to decide to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Reference to Congress leader Vadettiwar's statement
Saamana also cited the statement of Congress leader Vijay Vadettiwar, in which he alleged that MPs and MLAs were blackmailed. Saamana says that Vadettiwar's comments as the Leader of the Opposition should be taken seriously.
Use of secret cameras brought from Israel and Pegasus
The editorial also alleges that high-tech secret cameras brought from Israel and surveillance systems like Pegasus were used to spy on MLAs and MPs. The private moments of these public representatives were recorded using these devices and then they were blackmailed.
Pen drive handed over to Eknath Shinde
According to Saamana, a pen drive containing evidence related to the honeytrap was handed over to the then Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. After this, Shinde left on a trip to Surat, Guwahati, and Goa. At that time, he only had 9 or 10 MLAs with him, but later the number increased and he formed the government with the support of the BJP.
Accusation of pressuring Fadnavis and the Home Department
Saamana also alleges that the then Leader of the Opposition, Devendra Fadnavis, and officials of the Home Department threatened and blackmailed MLAs and MPs. This weakened the majority of the MVA government, and ultimately Uddhav Thackeray had to resign from the post of Chief Minister.
