‘Operation Tiger’ in final stage? Shiv Sena MLC claims 7 Sena (UBT) MPs may switch before Parliament session

Political tensions within the Shiv Sena ecosystem escalated on Tuesday after leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led faction claimed that efforts to bring over Members of Parliament from Shiv Sena (UBT) were nearing completion.

Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane said discussions with seven MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party had advanced significantly and suggested that a formal move could take place before the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

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According to Tumane, talks have been underway for about a month and are now in their concluding phase.

“Our discussion with the seven MPs under ‘Operation Tiger’ has reached its final stage,” he told ANI.

Using a medical analogy, Tumane compared the political exercise to a surgery awaiting only a scheduled date.

“Just like when we go to a hospital for an operation, an investigation is conducted first, and reports are issued. Now, only the final date for the procedure needs to be fixed with the doctor. The operation will take place on that day,” he said.

Without identifying the MPs involved, he claimed their induction into the Shinde camp was almost certain.

“It’s not appropriate for us to share all the details. But it’s almost certain that they will join us,” Tumane said.

Sena leaders target Uddhav camp

Adding to the attack, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam predicted a bleak future for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

“The party called Ubatha is slowly dying. Their MLA and MP no longer have faith in Ubatha’s leadership. By 2029, the party will be finished. People are leaving Ubatha every day,” Nirupam said.

Calling the issue an internal matter of the rival camp, he alleged that more leaders would continue to leave the party in the coming years.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC dismissed suggestions that the Shinde faction was actively working to engineer defections.

“We have no interest in breaking any party,” she said.

Referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s leadership style, Shaina said his popularity stemmed from grassroots engagement.

“Everyone has seen the popularity of our leader, Eknath Shinde, because he is loyal to the common people and works at the grassroots level. He doesn’t work from home,” she said in an apparent swipe at Uddhav Thackeray.

“There is no Operation Tiger, but rather Operation Progress,” she added.

Shaina also argued that the steady stream of leaders joining Shiv Sena reflected growing public support for the party across Maharashtra.

Sena (UBT) dismisses split speculation

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut rejected reports that a section of the party’s MPs was preparing to break away and form a separate group, calling the claims baseless.

“This is a lie. We have no such information. Four days ago, all these MPs took part in a meeting called by Uddhav Thackeray and expressed faith in his leadership. Of them, some of the leaders swore by their loved ones pledging support to Uddhav,” Raut told reporters in New Delhi.

Raut also rubbished claims made by Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane that seven Sena (UBT) MPs were in touch with the Shinde camp.

“Who is he? There is no such person in Maharashtra politics. Today, there are such people in the Shinde group who say anything. Who will split the party?” he told ANI.

The Rajya Sabha MP further accused the BJP of pursuing a strategy of engineering splits in rival political parties.

“In the last 12 years, the BJP has had only this work of splitting political parties. They have split TMC now. Before this, they did the same with NCP and Shiv Sena,” he alleged.

“What Operation Tiger are you asking about? We are all tigers. We are going to launch Operation Wolf. We are not going to be scared. All our MPs and Parliamentary Party are intact, united and strong, and it will continue that way,” Raut had said after a meeting of Sena (UBT) MPs convened by Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.