As speculation over the Shiv Sena’s alleged “Operation Tiger” continues to dominate Maharashtra’s political discourse, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray sought to strike a note of resilience during
a meeting with the party’s MPs, while leaders from both camps continue to offer sharply contrasting versions of events. According to sources present at the meeting, Thackeray told MPs that those who wished to leave the party were free to do so and that he would only wish them well. Reflecting on the 2022 rebellion that split the Shiv Sena, he is learnt to have said that he was aware of the developments even when he was Chief Minister but chose not to pressure anyone into staying. “A major split took place in the party four years ago. Forty MLAs walked away. Do you think I was unaware of what was happening?” Thackeraytold MPs. He is also said to have remarked that those who abandoned Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena would eventually regret their decision, but by then it would be too late. “Today may not be my time, but tomorrow certainly will be. Until then, we will have to endure and persevere,” he added.
#WATCH | On Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane’s claims 7 Shiv Sena UBT MPs are in touch with his party, shive Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut says, “Who is he? There is no such person in Maharashtra politics. Today, there are such people in Shinde group and say anything. Who will split… pic.twitter.com/s7tqDdLbee
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2026
RAUT’S DENIAL
However, today in Delhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut strongly pushed back against reports suggesting that Thackeray had told leaders they were free to leave. Raut, who said he was present throughout the meeting, insisted that no such statement was made by the party chief.
“Uddhav Thackeray did not say that those who want to go should leave, and he would never say such a thing,” Raut said.
Defending Thackeray’s leadership style, Raut said there was no leader in Maharashtra who met as many party workers as the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief.
“After Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackerayis the leader who meets the maximum number of people. The doors of Matoshree are always open,” he said.
Raut also dismissed speculation about cracks within the party’s parliamentary ranks, asserting that all nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs remain united. Referring to reports of interactions between leaders across party lines, he said there was nothing unusual about elected representatives meeting ministers or political leaders.
“If Sanjay Deshmukh meets Prataprao Jadhav, what is the problem? If I have work tomorrow, I will meet the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister belongs to the country and the Chief Minister belongs to the state. Political battles will continue, but meetings for public work should not be given a different colour,” he added.
The remarks came as leaders from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena kept up the pressure. Cabinet minister Pratap Sarnaik claimed that “Operation Tiger” was not a one-time political exercise but an an ongoing process.
“Look, our Operation Tiger continues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We hear the name Operation Tiger only through the news. According to us, Operation Tiger runs throughout the year because whenever workers in any party feel they are not getting justice, they come to us. They come with faith in Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena and Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology. For us, they are all tigers,” Sarnaik said.
He added that the outreach was not limited to MPs, MLAs or former corporators and that common workers are also welcomed under Operation Tiger.
Adding to the speculation, Shiv Sena MLA Krupal Tumane claimed that a majority of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s MPs were in touch with the Shinde camp.
“Out of the nine MPs from UBT camp, seven are willing to work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. They want to work according to his policies and ensure development in their constituencies because development is what gets leaders re-elected. Today, around seven MPs and sixteen MLAs are in contact with us,” Tumane claimed.
While the Shinde camp continues to project confidence about attracting leaders and workers from rival parties, the Uddhav Thackeray camp has categorically denied any signs of a split; they continue to maintain that the party stays united.
