Shiv Sena leaders denied having any plan or interest in contacting members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party this Saturday.
These denials follow intense media speculation regarding a potential political realignment in Maharashtra. If the rumors were true, a shift in loyalty among lawmakers could alter the stability of the current state government and its coalition dynamics.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Raju Waghmare said the reports of a coordinated effort to lure members from the UBT faction are false. He specifically addressed rumors regarding a strategy known as "Operation Tiger."
"This is completely false. Our leader, Eknath Shinde, has made it very clear — there is no 'Operation Tiger'," Waghmare said.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde previously addressed similar claims on April 10, 2026. At that time, he said reports of secret meetings were "baseless and malicious," and said such claims were mere speculation.
Despite these official denials, conflicting reports have circulated in the media. Some reports suggest that seven Shiv Sena UBT MPs [1] are in touch with Shinde, which reportedly prompted warnings from the BJP. Other accounts from April 10, 2026, alleged that eight UBT MPs [2] held a confidential meeting.
Both Waghmare and Shinde have maintained that no such outreach exists. The party continues to refute the idea that any secret operation is underway to target the UBT faction's legislative strength.
“"This is completely false. Our leader, Eknath Shinde, has made it very clear — there is no 'Operation Tiger'."”
The repeated denials from high-ranking Shiv Sena officials suggest a strategic effort to maintain public stability and avoid accusations of political poaching. However, the gap between official statements and reports of specific numbers of MPs in contact indicates ongoing tension and potential volatility within Maharashtra's legislative alliances.
