Reports of ‘Operation Tiger’ suggest a potential split in Shiv Sena (UBT), with 7 of its 9 MPs allegedly in touch with Eknath Shinde’s faction. UBT leaders, including Sanjay Raut, have denied the claims and issued stern warnings to defectors.
Maharashtra is witnessing a fresh political buzz around “Operation Tiger”, with reports suggesting that seven out of nine Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MPs are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and may be considering a switch, reviving concerns of another split similar to the 2022 breakaway led by Shinde that divided the party into two factions. However, there has been no official confirmation from the party regarding any breakaway faction.
UBT Denies Split, Issues Stern Warnings
Today, Shiv Sena (UBT) party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Lok Sabha MPs Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the Parliament House in the national capital. Amid the political sparring, Raut strongly warned of action against any rebellion and denied any official confirmation of defections. He and other party leaders escalated their attack on the ruling alliance, alleging pressure tactics and asserting confidence in party unity.
In a press conference, he warned the rebels, saying those wishing to leave the party should first “resign from their posts” and face the people again. He also hurled abuses at party rebel MPs, asking the media not to cut out his comments. “If anyone wants to go, they can resign and leave. If such reports emerge about our MPs, then they should refute them. This time, the people of Maharashtra will not remain silent,” Raut told reporters in Delhi.
The Rajya Sabha MP said the party leadership had worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of its MPs and warned of strict action if any lawmaker defected. “Our MPs, for whom Uddhav ji and we shed blood and sweat, gave money, made them win elections… still if such news comes, we will not spare them,” he said.
Raut also levelled serious allegations, claiming that money had been offered to party MPs in an attempt to engineer a split. Senior leaders issued sharp statements warning against any defection, while also accusing opponents of exerting pressure and misusing institutional mechanisms, as the controversy drew reactions from leaders across multiple political parties.
Further, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve targeted the BJP, alleging that the ruling party in the state is attempting to lure elected representatives because it could not win public support. Speaking to ANI, Danve said, “They must be giving offers because, apart from money, what else do they have? They cannot face the public, and that is the reason they could not get elected. Now they are going after those who were elected. The party will have to take some action and should take legal steps.”
Political Reactions Pour In
Referring to the Legislative Council seats, Danve said the party had submitted a “completely correct letter” and questioned the decision regarding the elections. Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi, reacting to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s remarks, said that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena had suffered the most due to the split in the party and that Raut’s anger was understandable. “Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has suffered the most. Their party was split, and MLAs were taken away. Now they are being targeted again. Sanjay Raut’s anger is therefore understandable. Whatever his language, the frustration is clear. What the BJP is doing is far from parliamentary conduct…” Pratapgarhi told ANI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said, “…you could not get elected. Now they are going after those who were elected…the party will have to take some action…the party should take these legal steps. The party has submitted a completely correct letter…of the 17 seats in the Legislative Council, elections are not being held for 6 seats…the way the ones who oppose (the ruling party) politically are being harassed through the ED, CBI, and Income Tax, all this happens only under dictatorship…”
Congress leader and former CM Prithviraj Chavan said, “…this morning, I heard news that two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MPs, 6 out of 9 MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray group, have written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, stating that they wish to join another party, perhaps Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. This means that there’s a rift in Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena… the BJP is trying to break every regional party… Amit Shah says he wants to completely destroy the Congress party, and he’s taking initiatives in that direction. He can’t do anything about the Congress, but he’s trying to break the rest of the INDIA Alliance. This doesn’t mean they’re not making efforts against the Congress party; they are…”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “…It is up to their conscience. They will go as far as their conscience allows. As for the National Conference MPs, we will never support this…”
Shinde Faction Hits Back
While Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said, “… Does he even understand the law? If MPs say they are leaving your party, why abuse them? Sanjay Raut is threatening them. Arvind Sawant is also a senior; we respect that, but such threats should not be made. Everyone knows the rules here…”
UBT Issues Whip for Parliamentary Meeting
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Parliamentary Party has issued a whip directing all its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament to mandatorily attend a Parliamentary Party meeting scheduled for June 18 in New Delhi.
According to the whip circular dated June 16, the meeting has been convened to discuss “various party issues” and will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at the Parliament House. The whip has been issued by Chief Whip (Lok Sabha) Anil Desai. All Lok Sabha MPs of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) have been directed to comply with the instructions. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)