Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders denied rumors of a party split after reports surfaced that several lawmakers were considering joining the NDA camp.
These allegations threaten the stability of the Uddhav Thackeray-aligned faction, which is already navigating the fallout of a 2022 party division. A mass defection would significantly diminish the party's influence in the Lok Sabha.
Sanjay Raut said that MPs were being offered Rs 15 crore each [1] to switch sides. These claims emerged amid speculation that the ruling Eknath Shinde-led faction is attempting to lure lawmakers with financial incentives.
Reports indicated that six or seven of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were exploring a switch [2]. However, party leadership sought to quell these rumors during a meeting at Matoshree in Mumbai.
Anand Dubey said, "Hum nadiyan hain aur nadiyan hamesha mahasagar ki ore jaati hain."
An unnamed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said that "Operation Tiger" is just rumors and that the party remains united following the Matoshree meeting [3].
The internal tension follows a pattern of power struggles in Maharashtra politics, where shifting loyalties often determine the viability of regional coalitions. The party's public display of unity is intended to counter the narrative of an impending collapse.
“"MPs are being offered Rs 15 crore each to switch sides."”
The volatility within Shiv Sena (UBT) reflects the broader instability of coalition politics in Maharashtra. If a majority of the party's nine MPs were to defect, it would not only weaken the opposition's legislative strength but also validate the effectiveness of financial inducements in shifting political allegiances within the state.
