Is Eli Yishai's Party Just a Ploy to Attract Voters Who Would Not Have Voted Shas?

I am beginning to wonder if there is some sort of conspiracy going on regarding the splitting of Eli Yishai from Shas and the formation of his new party. My suspicion goes so far as to think that it was a planned split with the goal being an eventual merger of sorts, or some sort of agreement to work together at minimum, between Yishai's new party and Shas.
Over the past couple of days, I keep seeing Rav Mazuz, Eli Yishai's new "maran" and rabbinic council, talk about the new party not poaching voters, or targeting them, from Shas, but only from the Dati Leumi parties of Habayit Hayehudi and Tekuma. When the deal with Tekuma fell through, Yishai said he will next approach Ben Ari and Otzma people. Now Rav Lior and Rav Levanon are announcing their support for Eli Yishai, even though Tekuma is not moving over, as if they think they will have any say in what goes on over there.
If he is not taking away [much] from Shas, but only from the Dati Leumi, what is he really offering? Why does he want to lead a community that is not his? The only thing I can think of is that by doing this he will be bringing, or trying to bring, a bit more power and seats to the Haredi parties from communities that would not normally have voted for Yishai or Shas.. Shas could not attract them even under the best of conditions, but maybe the new Eli Yishai party can...
hmmmm
------------------------------------------------------ Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel ------------------------------------------------------