Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena (UBT)) convened an emergency meeting with his members of parliament at the Thackeray family residence in Mumbai.

The gathering follows a concerted effort by Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena (Shinde)) to induce defections within the UBT faction. This political maneuvering threatens the stability of Thackeray's leadership and his party's influence ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

The campaign, dubbed "Operation Tiger," aims to poach Lok Sabha MPs from the UBT camp. Reports indicate the operation was first noted on March 18, 2026 [1], and was later relaunched on April 10, 2026 [2]. Shinde's strategy focuses on weakening the UBT faction by encouraging its leaders to switch allegiances, a move that could create significant political instability for Thackeray.

Thackeray met with his MPs one-on-one at the family home, known as Matasri, to steady his ranks. While party spokesperson Sanjay Raut dismissed the concerns by questioning who could break their unity, other reports suggest the meeting was a direct response to the poaching threat. The party has officially described the gathering as a normal review meeting, though news outlets have linked it to the pressures of Operation Tiger.

The tension between the two Shiv Sena factions has escalated as the Legislative Council elections approach. Shinde's efforts to woo UBT leaders are seen as a tactical move to secure a stronger position for his faction within the state's legislative framework.

Sanjay Raut said that the party remains resilient against these attempts. The internal meetings are intended to ensure that lawmakers remain loyal to Thackeray despite the ongoing efforts by the Shinde-led faction to dismantle the UBT's parliamentary strength.

“Operation Tiger is a political campaign launched by Eknath Shinde to poach Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs.”

The conflict between the two Shiv Sena factions highlights the volatility of Maharashtra's political landscape. By targeting MPs through Operation Tiger, Eknath Shinde is attempting to strip Uddhav Thackeray of his legislative leverage. If successful, these defections would not only weaken the UBT's bargaining power but could also shift the balance of power in the upcoming Legislative Council elections, further marginalizing Thackeray's influence in the state.