Mumbai Veteran To Parbhani’s ‘Boss’: The 6 MPs Who Struck Uddhav Thackeray With ‘Op Tiger’

Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 13:42 IST

Who are the six rebel MPs from Sena UBT? Veterans to grassroots leaders, meet the MPs who may shift allegiance to Eknath Shinde

The six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs involved in the massive rebellion buzz in Maharashtra under ‘Operation Tiger’ — reportedly preparing to shift allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena — comprise a mix of multi-term veterans and grassroot leaders.

Who are they? News18 explains.

WHO ARE THE SIX REBEL MPs?

1. Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav (Parbhani)

Commonly referred to as “Bandu Jadhav" or “Boss". He is a highly experienced leader who achieved a hat-trick Lok Sabha win from Parbhani. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Parbhani from 2004 to 2014 before moving to central politics.

Role: He serves as a Shiv Sena Up-Nete (Deputy Leader) and acts as an aggressive face of the party in the Marathwada region.

2. Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar (Dharashiv)

Widely known as “Omraje Nimbalkar" or “Omdada". A prominent Marathwada leader who is a two-term MP representing the Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) constituency. He initially served as an MLA for Osmanabad from 2009 to 2014.

Background: Known for his high local popularity, fitness focus, and deep connections with the youth in rural Maharashtra.

3. Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East)

A crucial two-term MP who won the Mumbai North East seat. He initially served as an NCP MLA (2004–2009) and later as an NCP MP (2009–2014) before officially joining the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019.

Background: He comes from a strong political lineage in Mumbai; his father, Dina Bama Patil, was a respected trade union leader and former MLA.

4. Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure (Shirdi)

An experienced two-term MP representing the Shirdi (SC) constituency. He initially won the seat on an undivided Shiv Sena ticket back in 2009, making a major political comeback.

Background: He is a highly educated, retired senior government official who later shifted his focus full-time to public administration and planning committees.

5. Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim)

A major political operator in the Vidarbha region. He served as a two-term Independent MLA from the Digras assembly segment (1999–2009) and was also the Maharashtra Minister of Sports between 2002 and 2004.

Background: A prominent businessman and agriculturist, he is well known for founding the Ishvar Foundation and providing free education and aid to underprivileged children.

6. Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli)

A first-term Lok Sabha MP who previously represented the Hadgaon-Himayatnagar constituency as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) during the 13th Maharashtra Assembly.

Background: He is highly educated, holding a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree. He commands deep organizational respect across the Nanded and Hingoli regions.

THE WAR OF WORDS

Maharashtra BJP vice-president Keshav Upadhye on Wednesday hinted at a possible split in the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing its leadership of rejecting the people’s mandate and driving the party into political decline. “Regarding the reported split in UBT, only this can be said that the party is likely to face another split," Upadhye wrote in a post on X, before launching an attack on Uddhav Thackeray and his party’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut.

He accused the Sena (UBT) leadership of rejecting the people’s mandate and engaging in what he termed politics centred on criticism and taunts. Upadhye claimed that Thackeray had steered the Sena (UBT) towards “appeasement of Muslims" and Raut was dragging the remaining organisation in the wrong direction. The duo (Thackeray and Raut) had led the party to political decline, he added.

Referring to late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Upadhye said the organisation he built had grown into a strong political force, but the present leadership had weakened it through its political approach.

The BJP leader further claimed that voters had rejected the Thackeray-Raut leadership and accused them of obstructing development works through constant criticism of political opponents.

He also took a swipe at the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece (Saamana), and said the MPs, MLAs and corporators were leaving the organisation. Abusing political rivals and using intemperate language cannot bring success in politics, Upadhye said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of growing speculation that a section of Sena (UBT) MPs could break away and form a separate group.

Raut claimed late Tuesday night that an “advance of Rs 15 crore" was being given to “buy MPs from Maharashtra", further fuelling the buzz.

The speculation gained momentum when ruling Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik hinted at welcoming dissidents and giving them priority should they jump ship.

With PTI inputs

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

News explainers Mumbai Veteran To Parbhani’s ‘Boss’: The 6 MPs Who Struck Uddhav Thackeray With ‘Op Tiger’

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