Shiv Sena’s much-discussed “Operation Tiger” has reportedly achieved a major breakthrough, with six Members of Parliament from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction expected to formally announce their political decision today.
Consent letters submitted by the six MPs to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with photographs and videos of all the MPs together, are likely to be made public.
With six MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the party’s strength in the Lok Sabha within the NDA is expected to rise to 13 MPs. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is scheduled to address the media at Vidhan Bhavan later today regarding the development.
In a significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray camp, Osmanabad MP Omraje Nimbalkar, considered one of the closest associates of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has decided to join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.
Following a key meeting with party workers, Nimbalkar clarified his stand and stated that he was joining the ruling party to facilitate development work in his constituency.
During his interaction, he also referred to the Pawan Singh Nimbalkar case and claimed that after the verdict went against them, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Before the split, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction had nine Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant, Sanjay Dina Patil, Rajabhau Waje, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
However, the party is now facing a major setback as six of its MPs have reportedly decided to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The MPs said to be shifting allegiance include Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Sanjay Dina Patil. If the move is formally recognised, only Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant and Rajabhau Waje will remain with the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction in the Lok Sabha.
Timeline of ‘Operation Tiger’
The political developments unfolded over the past two weeks, culminating in the reported split within the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party.
On June 10, discussions regarding “Operation Tiger” reportedly took place between Amit Shah and Eknath Shinde during an NDA meeting. Sources claimed that Shah subsequently discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received approval. Later the same day, Shah held a meeting with Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, reportedly giving the operation the green signal.
Also on June 10, several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs reportedly met Eknath Shinde at a five-star hotel in New Delhi.
On June 14, Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting of party MPs at Matoshree. Anil Desai, Arvind Sawant and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting in person, while Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Sanjay Deshmukh joined virtually. Omraje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Sanjay Jadhav remained absent.
On June 15, MP Sanjay Deshmukh met Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav in New Delhi. Reports emerged on June 16 that six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had travelled to Delhi, while Eknath Shinde also left for the national capital. The same day, Arvind Sawant wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker urging him not to recognise any breakaway faction.
On June 17, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut addressed a press conference.
Meanwhile, the group of six MPs reportedly informed the Lok Sabha Speaker about the formation of a separate group.
Uddhav Thackeray’s camp subsequently issued a whip directing all MPs to attend the parliamentary party meeting scheduled for June 18.
The developments mark one of the most significant political setbacks for Shiv Sena (UBT) since the party split in 2022 and could further strengthen Eknath Shinde’s position within both the NDA and Maharashtra politics.
