The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) denied reports of an internal split following rumors of a political maneuver called “Operation Tiger” on Thursday.
The stability of the Thackeray faction is critical as it faces ongoing pressure from Eknath Shinde’s rival camp to secure legislative dominance in Maharashtra.
Confusion intensified after a crucial meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs in Delhi. While the party has nine total Lok Sabha MPs [1], only three attended the meeting [2]. This low turnout fueled speculation that other members had shifted their allegiance.
A Shiv Sena member of the legislative council said six UBT MPs have already joined the Eknath Shinde camp [3]. This claim suggests a significant collapse of the Thackeray faction's parliamentary strength.
However, MP Anil Desai denied the split claims and said the reports were media hype [4]. Other reports suggest the effort to flip the MPs may have failed, noting that two UBT MPs did not sign a letter supporting a split [5].
The power struggle stems from the divide between the two factions after Shinde formed a rival group. MPs are currently facing pressure to declare their support for either side as the political battle in Maharashtra intensifies [4], [5].
“Only three of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs attended a crucial Delhi meeting.”
The discrepancy between the number of MPs attending the Delhi meeting and the total party strength creates a vulnerability that rivals can exploit. If the claims of six MPs defecting are accurate, the Shiv Sena (UBT) would lose its primary leverage in the Lok Sabha, shifting the balance of power further toward Eknath Shinde's faction and the ruling coalition.
