Shiv Sena (UBT) Alleges MPs Targeted Amid 'Operation Tiger'

The political landscape in Maharashtra has grown tumultuous as the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party, commonly known as Shiv Sena (UBT), faces speculation regarding the possible defection of six of its Members of Parliament (MPs). In response to these rumours, the party is convening a meeting of its parliamentary board on 18 June 2026. It has simultaneously reached out to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting exclusive recognition as the legitimate faction of the Shiv Sena in Parliament. The urgency of these actions reflects growing concerns over the alleged intentions and current whereabouts of the MPs at the centre of these discussions.

At a recent press conference held in New Delhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, and Anil Desai addressed the swirling suspicions surrounding the situation, which they have dubbed 'Operation Tiger'. Mr. Raut asserted that Maharashtra's MPs were being offered substantial bribes of ₹50 crore, claiming that a cash advance of ₹15 crore was given to MPs before they boarded a flight. He stated, "For now, we are all together, the rest I don’t know."

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Sushama Andhare remarked on the uncertainty of the MPs' locations. She underscored that these individuals were elected based on the legacy of the Shiv Sena's founder, Bal Thackeray, and underscored the influence of Uddhav Thackeray on their electoral success. She emphasised that such partisan turmoil is not unique to Maharashtra, referencing similar trends in regions like West Bengal.

The MPs reportedly missing are Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, and Omraje Nimbalkar. Concerns have been raised regarding their absence from a significant meeting at Uddhav Thackeray's residence. Furthermore, Mr. Desai and Mr. Sawant communicated that they are adopting a cautious legal approach to prevent a repeat of the internal dissent that led to the 2022 party split.

In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Mr. Sawant reaffirmed the identity of the Shiv Sena (UBT) as a singular entity within the political framework. He urged the Speaker not to acknowledge any faction that claims association with the party, reiterating that the parliamentary party operates as an integral component of the recognised political party. He stated, "The constitutional framework does not permit multiple factions to represent a single political party within Parliament."

Mr. Raut further implicated additional coercive tactics at play, claiming that there have been exertions of pressure aimed at forcing MPs to resign, citing an instance involving MP Om Raje Nimbalkar. He alleged that Nimbalkar faced intimidation related to an ongoing court case concerning his father. A verdict is anticipated on 20 June 2026, raising questions about the potential motivations behind these recent allegations.

In a social media post, Mr. Raut suggested that two MPs were transported to New Delhi from Nanded via chartered aircraft under the pretext of 'Operation Tiger'. He sarcastically noted their earlier modest means of travel before asserting that their political careers had catapulted them into a new echelon of privilege. This, he claimed, illustrates the desperation behind the attempts to sway these MPs. He further expressed his outrage regarding claims that ₹15 crore was designated as bribes for MPs, describing the situation as shocking and disappointing.

As this political saga unfolds, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders continue to express resilience, with Bhaskar Jadhav affirming the need to make decisive moves to improve the party's standing and to mitigate prevailing fears within its ranks. The developments in Maharashtra are being closely monitored as they signal broader implications for party dynamics and electoral integrity.