Maharashtra Politics: ‘Operation Tiger’ Sparks Fresh Crisis for Uddhav Thackeray as Rebel MP Rumours Intensify
Shiv Sena (UBT) Faces New Defection Threat Amid Reports of MPs Joining Shinde Camp
Maharashtra politics has once again been shaken by reports that several Members of Parliament belonging to the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction may switch allegiance to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The developments have triggered fears of a fresh split within the party founded by Bal Thackeray and currently led by Uddhav Thackeray.
The controversy erupted after reports emerged of a late-night meeting in New Delhi involving Shinde and six MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp. The alleged operation has been dubbed “Operation Tiger” in political circles, reviving memories of the 2022 rebellion that brought down the Thackeray-led government.
Sena (UBT) Appeals to Lok Sabha Speaker
Fearing a repeat of the 2022 split, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have reportedly approached Om Birla seeking assurances that any breakaway group of MPs should not be granted immediate recognition as a separate parliamentary faction.
Party leaders argue that anti-defection provisions and parliamentary rules must be strictly followed before any recognition is considered. The move indicates that the Thackeray camp believes defections could be imminent.
₹15 Crore Allegation Raises Political Temperature
The political storm intensified after senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that rebel MPs were being offered ₹15 crore each to switch sides.
According to Raut, attempts are being made to engineer a split in the party’s parliamentary wing through financial inducements. However, leaders from the Shinde faction have dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
No independent evidence has yet emerged publicly to substantiate the claim, and the allegation has quickly become one of the most contentious aspects of the unfolding political drama.
Why the MPs Matter
The significance of the alleged defections extends beyond Maharashtra. A successful split in the party’s Lok Sabha contingent would:
- Weaken Uddhav Thackeray’s position within the opposition alliance.
- Strengthen Eknath Shinde’s claim to be the principal inheritor of the Shiv Sena legacy.
- Influence parliamentary arithmetic in New Delhi.
- Potentially affect future alliance negotiations ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
Political observers note that after losing most of the party’s MLAs in 2022, a split among MPs would represent another major organizational setback for the Uddhav camp.
What Is ‘Operation Tiger’?
While no official operation by that name has been acknowledged, the phrase has emerged in media and political discussions to describe the alleged effort to bring Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into the Shinde-led faction.
The name is politically symbolic because the tiger has long been associated with the Shiv Sena’s identity and electoral imagery.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on whether any MPs formally announce their departure from Shiv Sena (UBT). If enough MPs defect to satisfy parliamentary requirements for recognition of a separate group, the matter could quickly move before the Lok Sabha Speaker.
For now, the reports remain politically explosive but fluid. The Thackeray camp is attempting to hold its parliamentary ranks together, while the Shinde faction continues to deny accusations of poaching lawmakers. The coming days are likely to determine whether “Operation Tiger” becomes another defining chapter in the continuing battle for control of the Shiv Sena legacy.
