Special Analysis
There is growing speculation of another major political upheaval in Maharashtra. Reports suggest that 6 to 7 of the 9 Lok Sabha MPs belonging to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) may either join the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or form a separate faction. Although no MP has publicly confirmed these reports so far, recent developments have intensified the speculation. Let us understand the entire situation in detail through Executive Editor Prakash Mehra’s analysis.
Speculation Began After the Matoshri Meeting
On June 14, Uddhav Thackeray convened a meeting of party MPs at his residence, “Matoshri.” Out of the nine MPs, only four attended the meeting in person, while five joined virtually. Following this, discussions about a possible split within the party gained momentum.
The MPs who participated online included Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Nagesh Patil (Hingoli), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), and Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv). Meanwhile, Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Rajabhau Waje were present physically at the meeting.
Emergency Meeting of MPs Called
Amid increasing speculation, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai has called a meeting of all party MPs on June 18 at 11:00 AM at the party office in Parliament House. It is believed that the current political situation and the loyalty of MPs will be discussed during the meeting.
Sanjay Raut’s Statements Fuel Discussions
On June 16, amid reports of a possible rebellion by MPs, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut claimed on social media that efforts were being made to purchase MPs from Maharashtra. He alleged that information had been received indicating that each MP was being offered an advance payment of ₹15 crore. Later, he further claimed that the “base price” of some MPs had been fixed at as much as ₹50 crore.
Raut also stated that “parties like Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress remain politically strong brands even today, which is why attempts are being made to break their elected representatives.”
However, he also remarked that “Shiv Sena has endured several major setbacks during its 60-year history, and the party stands not on MPs or MLAs alone, but on the strength of its workers.”
Important Letter Sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker
Arvind Sawant, the South Mumbai MP and leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party, has sent a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. In the letter, he requested that Shiv Sena (UBT) continue to be recognized as the official political party in Parliament and that no special status or facilities be granted to any potential breakaway group or rebel faction.
The party has also clarified that if any defection occurs, it will utilize all legal remedies available under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (the Anti-Defection Law).
Political observers are viewing this letter as an indication that the party anticipates a possible rebellion.
Sushma Andhare Accuses BJP
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is behind the entire development as part of a political strategy.
She stated that “this is not merely a matter concerning Uddhav Thackeray’s party, but part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties across the country.” She further claimed that the BJP seeks to gain political advantage by engineering splits within opposition parties.
What Is the Shinde Faction Saying?
Naresh Mhaske, an MP from the Eknath Shinde faction, claimed that Uddhav Thackeray’s own MPs, MLAs, and party workers are dissatisfied with him. According to him, the alliance with Congress and a perceived departure from the party’s original Hindutva ideology are the primary reasons.
Meanwhile, senior Shinde faction leader Krupal Tumane claimed that the so-called “Operation Tiger” has reached its final stage and that discussions regarding the defection of 7 MPs and 16 MLAs are almost complete.
However, Maharashtra minister Uday Samant has denied all such claims. He stated that Shiv Sena has no need to poach MPs and that there have been no formal discussions between the Shinde faction and UBT MPs.
What Is “Operation Tiger”?
Over the past few days, “Operation Tiger” has become a major topic of discussion in Maharashtra politics. According to claims attributed to political sources, several MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction may join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
However, no MP has publicly announced a defection so far. As a result, political speculation and counterclaims continue to dominate the discourse.
A Major Political Setback for Uddhav Thackeray?
Maharashtra politics appears to be at another crucial turning point. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena had already suffered a major split in 2022. If a significant number of Lok Sabha MPs now also leave the party, it could become another major political setback for Uddhav Thackeray.
For now, all eyes are on the meeting of MPs scheduled for June 18 and the developments that may follow. The coming days will determine whether this is merely political speculation or another major event that could alter Maharashtra’s political equations.
