Uddhav Thackeray summoned Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators to a meeting on June 22, 2024 [3], where five of nine MPs were absent [1].
The absences have triggered speculation regarding "Operation Tiger," a rumored campaign by the rival Shinde faction to lure UBT members away from the party.
The meeting took place at Matoshree in Maharashtra [4]. While Thackeray sought to consolidate his legislators, reports indicate that five MPs did not attend in person [1]. These absent members include Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Nagesh Patil Ashtikar.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the exact nature of the absences. Some accounts state that exactly five MPs skipped the meeting [1], while other reports suggest the number of absent legislators ranged from six to seven. There is further disagreement regarding Sanjay Deshmukh; some sources said he attended the meeting virtually, while others listed him among those who skipped the event entirely.
This internal friction comes amid broader rumors that the Shinde-led faction is actively targeting UBT lawmakers. Aaditya Thackeray has refuted the "Operation Tiger" rumors and criticized current government policies in response to the speculation.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently holds nine seats in the Lok Sabha [2]. The failure of a majority of these representatives to appear in person at the Matoshree residence has amplified concerns over the party's stability in the face of poaching attempts by political rivals.
“Five of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs missed a June 2024 gathering at Matoshree.”
The perceived instability within the Shiv Sena (UBT) reflects the ongoing volatility of Maharashtra's political landscape. If 'Operation Tiger' succeeds in flipping several MPs, it would not only diminish Uddhav Thackeray's legislative strength in the Lok Sabha but also signal a shift in momentum toward the Shinde faction, potentially altering the balance of power within the state's fractured party structures.
