Rival factions of the Shiv Sena party engaged in a widespread poster war across Mumbai during the party's 60th foundation day [1].

This public display of friction underscores the deep instability within the party following its 2022 split [2]. The competition for visual dominance in the city reflects a broader struggle for legitimacy and leadership between the two camps.

Banners and posters appeared throughout the city, with a heavy concentration in Bandra, Kalanagar, and the Matoshree area [3]. The Eknath Shinde-led faction, currently in government, and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) both utilized the anniversary to flex their political muscle [4].

Local observers said that the visual battle coincided with intense speculation regarding "Operation Tiger" [4]. This rumored strategic move has fueled theories about possible defections between the two factions as they vie for control over the party's legacy and voter base [4].

The conflict stems from the 2022 divide that fractured the party into two competing entities [2]. While one side holds official government power, the other continues to assert its claim to the party's ideological roots on the 60th anniversary [1].

Supporters of the Thackeray camp have used the occasion to suggest that Uddhav Thackeray will eventually return to power [5]. Meanwhile, critics from opposing political alliances have said that the internal rebellion and leadership disputes have contributed to a decline in the party's overall influence [6].

“The competition for visual dominance in the city reflects a broader struggle for legitimacy.”

The poster war signifies that despite the passage of time since the 2022 split, the Shiv Sena remains a deeply divided entity with no immediate resolution in sight. By fighting for visibility on a foundation day, both factions are signaling to their base and potential defectors that they remain the true heirs to the party's legacy, while the mention of 'Operation Tiger' suggests that tactical shifts and party hopping remain active strategies in Maharashtra's volatile political landscape.