The political turbulence that recently rocked the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal appears to have found an echo in Maharashtra, where the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is reportedly confronting the possibility of a major internal rebellion. According to political sources, as many as seven of the party's nine Lok Sabha Members of Parliament are allegedly in touch with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and could soon shift their allegiance to the ruling Shiv Sena faction.
The reported developments have been informally dubbed "Operation Tiger," a political exercise that, if successful, could significantly alter Maharashtra's already fluid political landscape and further strengthen Eknath Shinde's position within the state's power structure.
Sources indicate that the potential realignment is not limited to Members of Parliament. Several Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs are also believed to be in communication with leaders from the Shinde camp. These discussions have triggered fresh concerns within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, which has already faced a major split in 2022 when Shinde led a rebellion that resulted in the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
The latest speculation gained momentum after senior Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar made remarks suggesting that a significant political realignment may be underway. Kesarkar claimed that a number of elected representatives are interested in joining Eknath Shinde because of what he described as the Deputy Chief Minister's development-focused style of governance.
According to Kesarkar, many leaders who are considering a switch continue to adhere to the ideology of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray while also expressing confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He argued that these factors make the Shinde-led Shiv Sena a more attractive destination for such leaders than a direct move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kesarkar also alleged that Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut have been actively reaching out to MPs and party leaders in an effort to prevent defections. However, he maintained that these efforts are unlikely to yield results if leaders remain convinced that their political future lies with the Shinde faction.
Amid growing speculation, Uddhav Thackeray has moved to consolidate his camp. After recently holding discussions with party MPs, he has now convened a meeting of all Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs. The meeting has been scheduled for June 22 at 4:00 PM at the party's Shivalay office in Mumbai.
Party sources said the gathering is aimed at assessing the political situation and reinforcing unity within the organisation. With the state legislature's upcoming session approaching, Thackeray is expected to provide strategic guidance and brief both MLAs and members of the Legislative Council from his faction on the party's future course of action.
While no official defections have been announced so far, the reports surrounding Operation Tiger have intensified political speculation across Maharashtra. If even a portion of the reported shift materialises, it could deal a fresh setback to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and further consolidate the influence of Eknath Shinde's faction in the state's politics.
For now, all eyes remain on the coming days as the Thackeray camp attempts to retain its lawmakers while the Shinde faction continues to be linked with efforts to expand its political footprint.
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