Amid a political storm triggered by a major rebellion within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, similar questions are now being raised in Maharashtra,
where speculation is growing that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could switch allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. According to sources, six of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs are likely to leave the party, with only Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje expected to remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray. The speculation comes amid what political circles have dubbed "Operation Tiger" - an alleged effort to bring Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into the Shinde camp. In a strongly worded message to party MPs on Tuesday, Uddhav Thackeray reportedly made it clear that those who wanted to leave were free to do so and that there was no point in holding back leaders who had already made up their minds. Sources also indicated that he told MPs that the doors of the party would not be open for those seeking to return later. The development follows intense speculation that as many as seven of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were in touch with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and exploring the possibility of joining it. The reports have been strongly denied by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Addressing a press conference on Sunday after a meeting of party MPs chaired by Uddhav Thackeray, Raut said, "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 all nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had participated in the meeting, either physically or virtually. According to him, four MPs attended in person while five joined through video conferencing. He also dismissed suggestions that the meeting was convened because of the ongoing speculation and said it was part of the party's routine organisational activities. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Dina Patil rejected rumours that he had skipped the meeting. Responding to questions from reporters, he said, "Why won't I come? I have come. People can say anything." The ruling Shiv Sena has also played down reports of any organised effort to engineer defections. Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said, "We have no interest in breaking any party. Everyone has seen the popularity of our leader, Eknath Shinde, because he is loyal to the common people and works at the grassroots level. He doesn't work from home." The political developments in Maharashtra come at a time when the TMC is dealing with its own internal crisis in West Bengal. A group of rebel TMC MPs has sought recognition as a separate faction and requested a merger with NCPI, prompting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to initiate consultations with both sides before taking a decision. With both TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) facing reports of internal dissent, opposition politics appears to be entering a new phase of uncertainty ahead of key electoral battles.
