Speculation of a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) intensified after six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a meeting [1].

This potential fracture threatens the stability of the Thackeray faction as it navigates a power struggle against Eknath Shinde's rival Shiv Sena wing. The unrest suggests deepening internal discomfort that could shift the political balance in Maharashtra.

The turmoil centered on a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi where six MPs were absent [1]. This absence fueled reports of a coordinated effort, dubbed “Operation Tiger,” to lure members away from the UBT faction and into the party led by Eknath Shinde [2].

Sanjay Raut, a senior leader in the UBT faction, alleged that a monetary lure of ₹50 crore was offered to the MPs to prompt their defection [3]. Raut said, "If anyone wants to leave, they will have to face the consequences" [4].

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed the reports of impending defections. "These reports are baseless," Shinde said on April 10, 2024 [5]. Despite the denial, opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that there is unease within the ruling Shiv Sena [6].

While some reports suggest “Operation Tiger” is a concrete plan to destabilize the party [2], other political leaders have described the talks as speculative [6]. The conflict remains a central point of tension in the state's political landscape, as both factions vie for the legacy and legitimacy of the original Shiv Sena party.

“"If anyone wants to leave, they will have to face the consequences," Sanjay Raut said.”

The tension within the Shiv Sena (UBT) highlights the fragility of political alliances in Maharashtra. If 'Operation Tiger' results in actual defections, it would significantly weaken Uddhav Thackeray's legislative strength and bolster Eknath Shinde's claim to the party's dominance, potentially altering the state's governing dynamics.