Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed six rebel MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction during a press conference in Mumbai on Monday [1].

This shift in allegiance intensifies the ongoing political crisis for Uddhav Thackeray's camp and consolidates Shinde's control over the Shiv Sena party. By absorbing these lawmakers, Shinde increases his influence within the Lok Sabha and strengthens his legislative standing.

Shinde described the defection as a strategic victory. "Operation Tiger is a success," Shinde said [2]. The move brings the total number of MPs in Shinde's Lok Sabha tally to 13 [3].

The transition occurred on June 22, 2026, as the six lawmakers formally shifted their support to the Shinde faction [1]. The event was staged as a public show of strength to signal the official nature of the split, a development some observers have termed "Split 2.0" [1].

Shinde said the move was intended to boost his party's representation and deepen the challenges facing the UBT camp [4]. The defection follows a period of instability within the regional party, as the two factions continue to battle for legitimacy and control over the party's identity and symbols.

The arrival of the six members provides Shinde with a more robust voting bloc in the lower house of Parliament. This consolidation of power is designed to ensure the Shinde faction remains the dominant force in Maharashtra's political landscape while isolating the opposition led by Thackeray [4].

“"Operation Tiger is a success."”

The success of 'Operation Tiger' shifts the balance of power in Maharashtra by depleting the legislative strength of the Shiv Sena (UBT). By increasing his Lok Sabha count to 13, Eknath Shinde not only weakens Uddhav Thackeray's political leverage but also enhances his own bargaining position with national allies, effectively cementing his faction as the primary representative of the Shiv Sena.