Reports have emerged of an alleged "Operation Tiger" aimed at engineering a split within the Shiv Sena (UBT) by inducing members of parliament to defect.
The stability of the party is critical to the balance of power in Maharashtra politics, as a significant loss of MPs would weaken the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.
According to reports, the alleged operation involves offering large cash inducements to MPs to switch sides, with some offers reaching up to Rs 15 crore per MP [1]. The effort is reportedly intended to diminish Thackeray's influence and potentially strengthen the faction led by Eknath Shinde.
Signs of internal friction surfaced during a recent parliamentary party meeting in Delhi. Only three out of nine Lok Sabha MPs attended the session [2]. This low turnout has been cited by some observers as an indication that a split is imminent.
Estimates on the scale of the potential defection vary. Some reports suggest six rebels could break the party [1], while other accounts indicate seven MPs are likely to split [3].
Party leadership said that a division is not occurring. Some reports maintain that all Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs remain united and that claims of a split are unfounded [4]. These contradictions highlight the volatility of the current political climate in the region as factions vie for dominance.
The alleged strategy may also be linked to efforts to elevate Aditya Thackeray within the political hierarchy, though the party's official stance remains one of unity.
“Reports have emerged of an alleged "Operation Tiger" aimed at engineering a split within the Shiv Sena (UBT).”
The allegations of 'Operation Tiger' reflect the ongoing instability within Maharashtra's political alliances. If a significant number of MPs defect, it would not only reduce the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s legislative strength but also potentially shift the strategic advantage toward the Mahayuti alliance and Eknath Shinde's faction, further marginalizing Uddhav Thackeray's influence in the state.
