After a crushing defeat in the recent Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction is facing increasing internal unrest. In a major political development, reports suggest that six MPs from the Thackeray camp are in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and may soon switch sides.
Dubbed ‘Operation Tiger,’ the move is reportedly a well-planned strategy by the Shinde faction to facilitate the transition of these MPs. For the past few days, Maharashtra’s political circles have been abuzz with speculation about this operation, which is said to be targeting not only Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders but also Congress members.
According to sources, preparations for 'Operation Tiger' are nearly complete, and the six MPs from Uddhav’s faction may officially defect before the next session of Parliament. If the operation succeeds, six out of the nine MPs currently with the Uddhav faction could move to the Shinde camp, further consolidating the Mahayuti alliance’s strength.
With the BJP’s backing, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has been steadily gaining ground in Maharashtra. Many MPs in the Thackeray camp fear an uncertain political future if they continue in the opposition. A major concern for them is access to government funds and development projects, which could be challenging outside the ruling coalition. The Mahayuti government, led by Eknath Shinde and supported by the BJP, is well-positioned to govern Maharashtra for the next five years, making it an attractive choice for potential defectors.
Shiv Sena, under Eknath Shinde’s leadership, contested the recent assembly elections with a strong mandate. Their performance was significantly better than in the Lok Sabha polls, securing 57 seats and reinforcing their standing within the Mahayuti alliance. In contrast, the Uddhav faction suffered a major setback, winning only 20 seats.
Political analysts believe that the defections, if confirmed, could be a decisive blow to Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership. The Thackeray camp, already struggling with the loss of the party name and election symbol, may now face further fragmentation.
As Maharashtra’s political landscape continues to shift, all eyes are on ‘Operation Tiger’ and its potential impact on the state’s power dynamics.
