MVA fell due to MLA honey-traps, spyware: Sena (UBT)

Mumbai

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday alleged that hidden cameras and an Israeli Pegasus-like surveillance system were used to honeytrap MLAs and MPs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), leading to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in 2022. In an editorial in Saamana, the party claimed that 18 MLAs and 4 MPs from the undivided Shiv Sena and NCP were blackmailed into switching sides, helping the BJP form a new government.

The editorial cited Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar’s earlier claim that opposition members were being blackmailed. It said his remarks, given his role as a former Leader of Opposition, should be taken seriously, spyware similar to Pegasus, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, was actively used in Maharashtra politics, with support from some police officials.

The piece further claimed that when Eknath Shinde received a pen drive containing evidence of these alleged traps, the group of MLAs began their journey from Mumbai to Surat, then Guwahati, and finally Goa. At the time of the split, Shinde reportedly had only 9–10 MLAs with him, but others joined under pressure.

It accused Devendra Fadnavis, then Leader of Opposition, and officials in the Home Department of orchestrating the blackmail campaign. Saamana also demanded that current ministers like Sanjay Shirsat, Yogesh Kadam, Dada Bhuse, and Manik Kokate be removed from the state cabinet, as some were allegedly involved in or affected by the honeytrapping.

The editorial suggested that the internal pressure and shifting loyalties hint at an upcoming cabinet reshuffle in Maharashtra.