'Operation Tiger' Roars: Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs To Reach Delhi Today

Last Updated:June 20, 2026, 09:13 IST

The MPs are expected to address the media after the Lok Sabha Secretariat's communication is made public.

Operation Tiger row is set to intensify today in Maharashtra as the rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are expected to visit Delhi. According to the sources, six of nine Lok Sabha MPs skipped a crucial party meeting and are expected to arrive in Delhi on Friday, fueling speculation about a possible shift to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Sources said the MPs are likely to stay at an undisclosed location in the national capital before making their next move. A formal announcement is expected only after the Lok Sabha Secretariat issues a bulletin on the matter, following which the MPs are likely to address the media.

The developments have intensified chatter around what is being dubbed “Operation Tiger" in Maharashtra’s political circles — a term being used for a possible rebellion within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena.

The speculation gained momentum after six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs — Nagesh Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure — remained absent from a parliamentary party meeting convened by the leadership in New Delhi despite a party whip.

In contrast, senior leaders Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut attended the meeting. Rajabhau Waje was also present.

The absence of the six MPs has triggered rumours that they could align with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. However, none of the MPs have publicly confirmed their future political plans.

The latest developments have once again brought the Shiv Sena’s long-running internal divide into sharp focus.

The political split dates back to 2022, when Eknath Shinde rebelled against then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray along with a majority of Shiv Sena MLAs, leading to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The rebellion eventually resulted in a formal split in the party.

Subsequently, the Election Commission recognised the Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and allotted it the party’s iconic ‘bow and arrow’ election symbol. The faction led by Uddhav Thackeray was thereafter recognised as Shiv Sena (UBT).

Any further erosion of support within the Uddhav Thackeray camp could deal another political setback to the party ahead of key electoral battles in Maharashtra. With the dissident MPs now expected in Delhi and an official communication from the Lok Sabha Secretariat awaited, all eyes are on whether “Operation Tiger" will culminate in another major split within the Thackeray-led faction.

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