Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing potential further defections as a senior leader of the Eknath Shinde faction, Rajkumar Hivarkar, has claimed that several MLAs will join their party, with local reports suggesting as many as ten Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs have already been approached and efforts are underway to secure at least five more to meet legal requirements for a split. These alleged moves, reportedly dubbed "Operation Tiger," are also rumored to extend to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLAs and MPs, with lawyer Nilesh Deshmukh tasked with coordinating these efforts. Furthermore, the Shinde faction is allegedly attempting to orchestrate a split in the Nashik Municipal Corporation by offering development funds to Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, prompting Thackeray faction leaders to plan a public display of their corporators to counter these rumors, although a Shinde faction leader has dismissed the reports as an organized campaign, attributing them instead to faith in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership.

Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing potential further defections as a senior leader of the Eknath Shinde faction, Rajkumar Hivarkar, has claimed that several MLAs will join their party, with local reports suggesting as many as ten Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs have already been approached and efforts are underway to secure at least five more to meet legal requirements for a split. These alleged moves, reportedly dubbed "Operation Tiger," are also rumored to extend to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLAs and MPs, with lawyer Nilesh Deshmukh tasked with coordinating these efforts. Furthermore, the Shinde faction is allegedly attempting to orchestrate a split in the Nashik Municipal Corporation by offering development funds to Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, prompting Thackeray faction leaders to plan a public display of their corporators to counter these rumors, although a Shinde faction leader has dismissed the reports as an organized campaign, attributing them instead to faith in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership.

Shiv Sena (UBT) is facing potential further defections as a senior leader of the Eknath Shinde faction, Rajkumar Hivarkar, has claimed that several MLAs will join their party, with local reports suggesting as many as ten Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs have already been approached and efforts are underway to secure at least five more to meet legal requirements for a split. These alleged moves, reportedly dubbed "Operation Tiger," are also rumored to extend to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLAs and MPs, with lawyer Nilesh Deshmukh tasked with coordinating these efforts. Furthermore, the Shinde faction is allegedly attempting to orchestrate a split in the Nashik Municipal Corporation by offering development funds to Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators, prompting Thackeray faction leaders to plan a public display of their corporators to counter these rumors, although a Shinde faction leader has dismissed the reports as an organized campaign, attributing them instead to faith in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership.

Shiv Sena (UBT), which suffered a major setback after six of its MPs jumped ship, could face another blow as another round of defections is likely. Rajkumar Hivarkar, a senior Shinde faction leader, has claimed that several MLAs will join the Shiv Sena Shinde faction.

“Many community leaders are joining the Shiv Sena under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Therefore, more people will join the party in the coming days,”   Hivarkar, district head of the OBC cell of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction, said at a party programme in Solapur.

Local media reports quoting sources in the Shinde faction claim that 10 MLAs of Shiv  Sena (UBT) have already been approached. Efforts are underway to secure the support  of at least five more MLAs to fulfil the legal and technical requirements under the Anti-Defection Act before taking any formal action.

Speculations are that Operation Tiger is not just limited to Shiv Sena (UBT). The  Shinde faction is eyeing several MLAs and MPs of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), and they are in contact with some leaders in this regard. The responsibility of coordinating this high-profile political campaign has been entrusted to lawyer Nilesh Deshmukh, who is considered close to former minister and MLA Dr. Tanaji Sawant and MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the Shinde faction could also orchestrate a split in Nashik Municipal Corporation. Rumours are that  10 to 12 corporators of Shiv Sena (UBT) are in touch with the Shinde group coordinator entrusted by the party. The coordinator has reportedly offered them Rs 5 crore in development funds in exchange for joining the party.

However, sensing the undercurrent, Thackeray leaders have decided to parade the corporators to dispel rumours of a split.

Shinde faction leader Ajay Boraste dismissed the reports of 'Operation Tiger'. He said  that these developments are not motivated by any organised political campaign but by faith in the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister. 

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