The Shiv Sena (UBT) has called a crucial parliamentary party meeting on Thursday amid growing speculation of a revolt within the Uddhav Thackeray camp. The party has issued a whip directing all lawmakers to attend the meeting, which is expected to determine whether the defection attempt by dissident MPs has succeeded.
“Action will be taken against MPs who violate the whip,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant said. The meeting is being held at the party office in the Parliament complex.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that at least six MPs from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction have already joined the group led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
“Operation Tiger has taken place in Maharashtra. Today, six MPs have expressed their confidence in Eknath Shinde and have joined Shiv Sena… It is good that they have joined us. I welcome them,” Raghuvanshi told reporters.
He further said that leaders wishing to work for the public should join the Shiv Sena–BJP alliance.
“Operation Tiger” is a term used in political circles to describe alleged efforts to strengthen the Shinde-led Sena in Parliament by attracting MPs from the Uddhav faction.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha, and at least two-thirds are required to form a separate group or avoid disqualification. Three MPs—Anil Desai, Rajabhau Waje, and Arvind Sawant—have pledged support to the Uddhav Thackeray camp.
The remaining six MPs are Sanjay Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Sanjay Jadhav. Even if one MP from the dissident group attends the meeting, it could affect recognition of any separate bloc.
Sawant on Wednesday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him not to grant recognition to any "breakaway" group claiming to represent the party.
Thursday’s high-stakes meeting in Delhi will determine whether Uddhav Thackeray retains his parliamentary strength or faces another major split.
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena currently holds seven Lok Sabha seats and remains a key ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Analysts believe the latest development is part of a broader political strategy aimed at strengthening the NDA ahead of key legislative business in the upcoming monsoon session.
