Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde said Monday that six members of parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction joined his party [1].
The shift significantly weakens the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction and consolidates Shinde's leadership within the party. By absorbing these legislators, Shinde reduces the influence of the rebel camp in the Lok Sabha.
Shinde said the political maneuver, which he termed "Operation Tiger," was a success during events at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Mumbai [2]. The move has left the Uddhav-led faction with only three remaining Lok Sabha members [3].
"Operation Tiger successful. I have already said in the press conference that Operation Tiger is a success," Shinde said [4].
Shinde said he is committed to completing his political objectives. "I don't leave anything half done, Operation Tiger is successful," he said [5].
Following the defections, Shinde was presented with a tiger statue to commemorate the outcome of the operation [6]. The maneuver was designed to further marginalize the opposition within the split Shiv Sena and strengthen Shinde's standing as the primary leader of the party's current iteration [2].
“"Operation Tiger successful."”
The successful execution of 'Operation Tiger' represents a critical blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction's legislative strength. By securing six defectors, Eknath Shinde has not only diminished the opposition's voice in the Lok Sabha but has also signaled his ability to attract key members from his rival's camp, further stabilizing his own political authority in Maharashtra.
