Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met with several Lok Sabha MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp in Delhi on Wednesday.
The meeting, described as "Operation Tiger," suggests a potential shift in power within Maharashtra's political landscape if lawmakers defect from Uddhav Thackeray's faction to join Shinde.
Reports on the exact number of attendees vary. Some sources said that six MPs [1] attended the secret meeting, while other reports said the number was seven [2]. These lawmakers belong to the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp, which currently holds a total of nine Lok Sabha MPs [3].
This development comes amid a long-standing factional rivalry within the Shiv Sena. The meeting in Delhi is viewed as an effort by Shinde to strengthen his political position by persuading aligned MPs to switch their allegiance.
In response to the rumors of a split, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has reportedly petitioned the Speaker. This move aims to protect the party's stability as speculation grows regarding the potential departure of its representatives.
The secret nature of the gathering has intensified political tension in the state. The potential loss of a majority of its parliamentary representatives would significantly weaken Thackeray's influence in the legislature.
“Operation Tiger sparks fears of mass defections from Uddhav Thackeray's camp.”
If six or seven of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs defect, Uddhav Thackeray would lose nearly his entire parliamentary presence. Such a move would consolidate Eknath Shinde's control over the party's legacy and legislative strength, potentially rendering the UBT faction marginalized in the Lok Sabha.
