MNS Leader Backs Raj-Uddhav Reunion As 'Operation Tiger' Chatter Grows

Last Updated:June 14, 2026, 16:01 IST

MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar urges Uddhav and Raj Thackeray to unite, Sanjay Raut denies defections from Shiv Sena UBT, Supriya Sule rejects NCP Congress merger talk.

Speculation over a possible political rapprochement between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray gained fresh momentum on Sunday after senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said the two leaders “should indeed come together."

Speaking to reporters, Nandgaonkar welcomed the idea of the Thackeray cousins reuniting politically but said any final decision would rest with the leadership of the two parties.

“They should indeed come together. But I cannot tell you where they should come together. This is a matter of party politics. The party high command will decide," he said.

The remarks come amid intense political activity in Maharashtra and growing speculation over possible realignments ahead of future electoral battles.

Sanjay Raut Dismisses ‘Operation Tiger’ Speculation

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut sought to downplay reports that some party MPs could switch sides and join Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs convened by Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, Raut asserted that the party remained united.

“What Operation Tiger are you asking about? We are all tigers. We are going to launch Operation Wolf. We are not going to be scared. All our MPs and Parliamentary Party are intact, united and strong, and it will continue that way," Raut said.

The remarks were aimed at reports suggesting that a section of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could join Shinde’s faction ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Sena UBT Faces Defection Concerns

Shiv Sena (UBT) currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs. Under the anti-defection law, at least six MPs would have to break away together for a split to be recognised without attracting disqualification proceedings.

The party has remained cautious about potential defections since the 2022 rebellion led by Eknath Shinde, which split the original Shiv Sena and dramatically altered Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Opposition Watching Developments

The discussions come amid wider opposition churn following political developments in West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress is facing internal dissent after its recent electoral setback.

Commenting on reports of opposition realignments, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule dismissed speculation about a merger between her party and the Congress.

“Neither anyone from our party has given any such proposal, nor have we received any such proposal," she said.

Sule also expressed concern over splits within opposition parties, drawing parallels between the divisions witnessed in Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and now the Trinamool Congress.

“The way first Shiv Sena was split, then it was the NCP, the same is happening to the TMC. This is very sad," she said.

As speculation over possible alliances, defections and opposition unity continues, the spotlight remains firmly on Maharashtra, where both the ruling NDA and opposition parties are preparing for the next round of political battles.

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