Six members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) have begun a coordinated rebellion against the party leadership [1].

The movement threatens to dismantle the legislative strength of Uddhav Thackeray’s faction. By securing these lawmakers, Eknath Shinde, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, aims to consolidate power and weaken his rival's standing before the upcoming Maharashtra MLC polls.

This political maneuver is part of a broader strategy known as "Operation Tiger." The initiative was relaunched on April 10, 2026 [2], as a coordinated effort by Shinde’s Shiv Sena to attract dissenting leaders from the UBT camp [2].

The current wave of instability began shortly after midnight on June 16, 2026 [3]. Reports indicate that the rebellion involved late-night flights to Delhi and strategic meetings in Maharashtra [3]. While six MPs are reported to be rebelling [1], three Lok Sabha MPs attended a crucial meeting related to the shift [3].

Shinde is targeting a specific "magic number" to ensure the success of the maneuver. He requires six out of nine MPs [1] to either form a separate group or merge with his own faction. Achieving this threshold would effectively strip the UBT faction of its recognized status and legislative leverage, a move that could redefine the party's future.

The coordination of these flights and meetings suggests a high level of organization behind the rebellion [3]. This effort seeks to capitalize on internal fractures within the UBT ranks to secure a decisive advantage in the state's political landscape [1].

“Six members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) have begun a coordinated rebellion.”

The success of 'Operation Tiger' depends on reaching the threshold of six MPs, which would allow Shinde to legally absorb the dissidents or force a split. If achieved, this would leave Uddhav Thackeray with insufficient numbers to maintain his party's official standing, potentially eliminating his faction as a viable political force in Maharashtra.