Mumbai: After a crushing defeat in the recent Assembly Elections, there is growing unrest within the Shiv Sena UBT. Amid the ongoing turmoil, reports suggest that six MPs from the Thackeray camp are in contact with the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and may soon switch sides. The Shinde camp is allegedly executing a strategic political move, dubbed ‘Operation Tiger,’ to facilitate this transition.

What Is Operation Tiger?

For the past few days, Operation Tiger has been a hot topic in Maharashtra’s political circles. Speculation is rife that several leaders from the Thackeray faction and Congress may join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena under this operation. Several news reports citing sources indicate that preparations for the operation are complete and six MPs from the Uddhav faction could officially switch allegiance soon.

If the operation is successful, six out of nine MPs from the Uddhav camp could join the Shinde faction. Reports suggest that efforts are underway to complete this transition before the next session of Parliament. With the BJP backing Shinde, this move could further consolidate their political strength.

Why Are MPs Leaving the Thackeray Camp?

The Mahayuti government, led by Shinde and backed by the BJP, is in a strong position to rule Maharashtra for the next five years. Many MPs fear an uncertain future if they remain with the Thackeray faction. One of the key concerns is access to funds, which may become difficult outside the ruling alliance. Since Mahayuti is in power at both the state and central levels, aligning with Shinde is seen as a politically advantageous move.

Shiv Sena, under Eknath Shinde’s leadership, contested elections and received a strong mandate from the public. Their performance in the assembly elections further solidified their standing. Now, apart from the party name and election symbol, the Uddhav faction has little left to hold onto.

Performance In Assembly Polls

The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections saw a massive turnaround by the Shinde Sena in the political arena. After a weak performance in the Lok Sabha Elections earlier, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena bounced back during the assembly polls winning 57 seats, strengthening their position in the Mahayuti alliance. On the other hand, the Sena UBT managed to bag only 20 seats.