Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), called a meeting of party Lok Sabha MPs on Sunday [1, 2].
The gathering comes as speculation grows regarding "Operation Tiger," a rumored effort to induce defections from Thackeray's faction to the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde [1, 2, 3].
Thackeray convened the lawmakers at his Mumbai residence, known as Matoshree [2, 3]. The meeting follows a period of increasing tension between the two rival factions of the Shiv Sena, which continue to battle for political dominance and legal recognition in Maharashtra.
Reports of a coordinated effort to sway members of the UBT faction have created a sense of urgency within the party leadership [1, 2]. The alleged "Operation Tiger" suggests a strategic attempt by the Shinde-led faction to weaken Thackeray's parliamentary strength by attracting MPs to switch allegiances [2, 3].
While the party has not released a formal statement on the specific outcomes of the Sunday meeting, the move is seen as a defensive measure to ensure party loyalty [1, 2]. The internal stability of the Shiv Sena (UBT) remains a focal point for observers of Maharashtra politics, as the party navigates the complexities of legislative survival, and electoral positioning.
Political analysts said that such meetings are often used to gauge the loyalty of representatives when rumors of poaching surface [3]. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena has previously seen success in attracting members from various opposition camps, adding weight to the current concerns of the UBT leadership [2, 3].
“Uddhav Thackeray called a meeting of party Lok Sabha MPs on Sunday.”
The urgency of this meeting highlights the fragile nature of political alliances in Maharashtra. If 'Operation Tiger' results in successful defections, it would significantly diminish the legislative influence of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and further consolidate power for Eknath Shinde's faction, potentially altering the balance of power in the state's political landscape.
