Seven members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) are reportedly preparing to defect to the faction led by Eknath Shinde [1].

This potential shift threatens to dismantle the parliamentary presence of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, which currently holds nine MPs in total [2]. A mass defection would significantly weaken Uddhav Thackeray's influence in the national legislature while bolstering Shinde's political standing.

The movement, referred to as "Operation Tiger," allegedly centered on a secret meeting in Delhi on June 7, 2024 [3]. Reports indicate that Shinde met with the seven MPs to discuss their transition to his faction [3].

Krupal Tumane, a member of the Legislative Council, said the discussions with the seven MPs are final, and they will join the Shinde faction soon [1]. While some reports suggest the MPs may join the faction, other accounts describe the process as being in its final stage [1], [2].

The camp led by Uddhav Thackeray has disputed the certainty of these claims. Thackeray said they are free to leave [3].

In response to the reports of "Operation Tiger," Sanjay Raut, a leader within the UBT camp, said the party will launch "Operation Wolf" in response [1]. The internal dissent follows ongoing friction within the party after the split between the two factions of the Shiv Sena.

Shinde's faction has sought additional parliamentary support to consolidate power in Maharashtra. The reported meeting in Delhi marks a critical escalation in the effort to pull lawmakers away from Thackeray's leadership [1], [2].

“"The discussions with the seven MPs are final and they will join the Shinde faction soon."”

The potential loss of seven out of nine MPs would leave the Shiv Sena (UBT) with a negligible footprint in Parliament, effectively transferring the party's legislative legitimacy to the Shinde faction. This realignment reflects the ongoing struggle for the identity and assets of the original Shiv Sena party, where numerical strength in the legislature often dictates legal and political recognition.