The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading a campaign called "Operation Tiger" to induce defections from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party [1].
This effort to fracture the opposition in Maharashtra follows a pattern of strategic splits designed to weaken political rivals. By pulling legislators toward the Eknath Shinde faction, the BJP seeks to destabilize the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and consolidate power within the state [1, 2].
According to reports, seven UBT MPs are ready to switch sides as part of the operation [1]. This push for defections has intensified throughout early June, creating a climate of instability for the UBT camp. Krupal Tumane, a member of the legislative council from the Shinde faction, has been linked to the efforts to lure members away from Thackeray's leadership [1].
In response to the defection buzz, Uddhav Thackeray has summoned UBT legislators for a meeting on June 22, 2026 [2]. The meeting is intended to shore up loyalty, and prevent further erosion of the party's legislative strength. Thackeray has maintained a defiant public stance regarding the pressure on his party.
"Today might not be mine, but tomorrow definitely is," Thackeray said [3].
The strategy appears to mirror recent political volatility in other Indian states. In West Bengal, reports indicated that 50 suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs had discussed a possible split [4]. BJP leaders said that the TMC is on the brink of a similar breakaway, which may have provided a blueprint for the current tactics in Maharashtra [4].
While some reports suggest the BJP and Uddhav Sena have coordinated on specific proposals regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, these claims contrast with the aggressive nature of Operation Tiger [1, 2].
“Seven UBT MPs are ready to switch sides as part of Operation Tiger”
The BJP's use of targeted defection campaigns like Operation Tiger suggests a broader strategy of using legislative instability to dismantle opposition coalitions. By mirroring the tactics used in West Bengal and the previous split of the Shiv Sena, the BJP is attempting to create a dominant political monoculture in key states, reducing the viability of the UBT as a competitive political force.
