A political strategy reportedly aimed at weakening the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has surfaced in Maharashtra, with senior leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena allegedly driving a plan internally referred to as “Operation Tiger” to encourage defections from rival MPs following the 2024 Assembly elections. The development highlights ongoing factional tensions within the Shiv Sena camp after its split in 2022. According to party insiders, the strategy was conceptualised shortly after the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections but gained momentum later when political equations shifted in Parliament following the defeat of a delimitation-related bill.

Leaders close to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his son, Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde, reportedly saw an opportunity to strengthen their parliamentary numbers by targeting MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction. Sources aware of the developments said initial outreach efforts focused on four Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs—Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. These MPs were believed to share working rapport with Union Minister of State for Health Pratap Jadhav, which reportedly facilitated informal communication channels for political negotiations.

The alleged objective of the plan was to secure support from at least two additional MPs beyond initial contacts, thereby crossing the two-thirds threshold required under anti-defection laws to avoid disqualification. Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, currently holds nine Lok Sabha seats, making even a small number of defections politically significant in terms of party strength and recognition. Party insiders also claim that dissatisfaction among some MPs contributed to the situation, citing issues such as limited access to party leadership and delays in allocation of development funds. These grievances are said to have created internal friction, which rival factions allegedly sought to leverage.

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Among those named in internal discussions, Sanjay Jadhav is reported to have emerged as a key figure expressing dissent. According to sources, he skipped party meetings on multiple occasions earlier this year, and his absence from an April meeting reportedly led to organisational changes in Parbhani, where several of his close associates were removed from party positions by the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership. Jadhav is also believed to have played a role in facilitating communication between Shinde camp leaders and other MPs, further intensifying speculation around potential defections.

However, none of the individuals or parties involved have issued formal public confirmations regarding the alleged operation. The developments underline the continuing instability within Maharashtra’s political landscape, where factional rivalry between the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) remains a defining feature of state politics, with both sides competing to consolidate organisational strength and parliamentary representation ahead of future electoral battles.

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