Mumbai: Fresh political speculation has gripped Maharashtra with Shiv Sena leader and MLC Krupal Tumane claiming that seven of the nine Members of Parliament belonging to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) are prepared to join the Eknath Shinde camp, reviving discussions around the much-talked-about ‘Operation Tiger’.

The latest claim, made amid reports of growing unease within the UBT camp, has triggered a fresh political storm and renewed debate over the possibility of another split in the party founded by Bal Thackeray.

Tumane said that seven UBT MPs and around 16 MLAs were in contact with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and were keen on working under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

According to him, discussions were at an advanced stage, and a formal switchover could take place in the near future.

The development has once again brought ‘Operation Tiger’ into the spotlight. Though not an official political programme, the term has been used in political circles to describe an alleged effort by the Shinde faction to attract leaders from the rival UBT camp and further consolidate its position within the Shiv Sena fold.

From 2022 Split to Fresh Defection Buzz

The roots of the current speculation can be traced back to June 2022, when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, resulting in a split in the Shiv Sena.

The revolt brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and led to the formation of a new government backed by the BJP.

Over the following months, a majority of Shiv Sena MLAs sided with Shinde, while Uddhav Thackeray retained a section of legislators, party workers and MPs.

The battle between the two factions subsequently moved to legal and electoral arenas, with both sides claiming ownership of Bal Thackeray’s political legacy.

Speculation about further defections has surfaced periodically since then, but no major shift has materialised among the UBT MPs.

The latest round of rumours gained momentum after a recent meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs convened at Matoshree, the residence of Uddhav Thackeray.

Reports initially suggested that several MPs had skipped the meeting, fuelling talk of internal dissatisfaction. The party later clarified that all MPs had attended, with some joining virtually.

Despite the clarification, opposition leaders and political observers continued to debate whether discontent existed within the party ranks.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has strongly dismissed the reports, insisting that the party remains united and that ‘Operation Tiger’ is nothing more than political propaganda aimed at creating confusion among workers and supporters.

Another UBT MP, Bhausaheb Wakchaure from Shirdi, also rejected suggestions of an imminent split, saying that such rumours had circulated repeatedly over the past year.

However, his remark that he could not predict ‘tomorrow’ has been interpreted by some political observers as leaving room for future political developments.

For now, no Shiv Sena (UBT) MP has publicly announced a decision to join the Shinde camp.

Yet Tumane’s claim that seven MPs are ready to switch sides has become the latest trigger for renewed speculation over whether Maharashtra politics could be headed towards another realignment in the coming weeks.