Maharashtra's political circles were thrown into fresh turmoil on Wednesday after reports emerged that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a late-night meeting in Delhi with six Lok Sabha MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp, intensifying speculation of a possible split within Uddhav Thackeray's party under the much-discussed 'Operation Tiger'.
According to a Times of India report, six of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs reportedly reached Delhi on Wednesday morning. Around the same time, Eknath Shinde was also in the national capital and is said to have met the MPs before departing for Jaipur. The developments immediately fuelled speculation in Maharashtra's political circles that the MPs could attempt to form a separate group in Parliament.
Arvind Sawant writes to Speaker Om Birla
The political developments triggered a swift response from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and parliamentary party leader Arvind Sawant, who on Wednesday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him not to entertain any request from defecting MPs seeking recognition as a separate group or merger with another political party.
In his letter, Sawant asserted that Shiv Sena (UBT)'s claim of being the "real Shiv Sena" remains pending before the Supreme Court and stressed that any move to recognise a breakaway faction would be inappropriate while the matter remains sub judice.
Sawant said reports suggesting that some MPs elected on the Shiv Sena (UBT) symbol were either approaching or planning to approach the Speaker for separate recognition had compelled him to formally intervene.
"I may also respectfully invite attention to the Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, including Direction 121 and allied provisions governing recognition of parties and groups in the House," Sawant wrote.
He argued that parliamentary rules recognise parties through their authorised leadership and require minimum numerical thresholds, but do not provide any mechanism for recognising a faction operating against the officially recognised party leadership.
"The reported request therefore finds no support in the Directions governing parliamentary procedure either," he stated.
Sawant further requested that Shiv Sena (UBT) continue to be recognised as a single political party in the Lok Sabha through its authorised leader and whip, and that no separate status or facilities be granted to any rebel faction. He also urged the Speaker not to take any decision on such a request, if made, without first allowing Shiv Sena (UBT) to present its submissions.
"The party further reserves all rights available to it in law, including the right to invoke the provisions of the Tenth Schedule," Sawant said, indicating that anti-defection proceedings could be initiated against rebel MPs if required.
The latest developments have once again intensified discussions around Operation Tiger, a term being used in Maharashtra political circles for the alleged efforts by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to engineer defections from the Uddhav Thackeray camp ahead of crucial political and parliamentary battles. Neither the Shinde camp nor the MPs concerned have officially confirmed the details of the reported Delhi meeting.
Shaina NC dismisses speculation
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said the growing number of leaders joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena reflects confidence in the party's governance and development-oriented approach.
Speaking to reporters in Jalna, she said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's popularity is evident from the steady influx of leaders from across Maharashtra.
"Our leader Eknath Shinde's popularity is well known. Every day, leaders from regions such as Amravati, Nanded, Solapur, Kolhapur, Parbhani and Latur are joining the party, and the list continues to grow," she said.
According to Shaina NC, the trend highlights public faith in the government's performance and commitment to development.
"Rather than using terms like 'Operation Tiger' or engaging in speculation, people should understand that the only operation being carried out is for the development and progress of Maharashtra," she said.
Responding to reports of political leaders switching sides, she added, "If people are choosing to join Shiv Sena on their own, as we have been witnessing, they are welcome, provided it is in the interest of Maharashtra and its people."
Sanjay Raut alleges poaching attempt
Political circles are abuzz with reports that six Lok Sabha MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) may form a separate group and merge with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. According to sources, the much-discussed 'Operation Tiger' is in its final stages and could be completed by June 19.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has alleged that monetary transactions were involved in engineering the defection.
In a series of posts on X, Raut claimed, "It's shocking and revolting that Maharashtra MPs are reportedly being offered Rs 15 crore each tonight to switch sides."
Replying to Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, he added, "The Minimum Support Price is fixed at Rs 50 crore per MP. Rs 15 crore is just the advance."
Raut further alleged that a chartered aircraft had transported MPs to Delhi under the guise of Operation Tiger, while also accusing political opponents of attempting to weaken the Thackeray camp.
At the same time, he dismissed reports claiming six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had already landed in Delhi, stating that some MPs were travelling for parliamentary committee meetings while others remained in their constituencies.
Legal battle over anti-defection law
In his four-page representation to the Speaker, Sawant also relied on constitutional provisions and judicial precedents to challenge any potential split.
He argued that after the Constitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act, 2003, the law no longer recognises a legislative split as protection from disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.
Citing the Supreme Court's 2023 judgment in the Subhash Desai case, Sawant maintained that the authority to appoint a whip, leader or issue binding directives rests with the parent political party and not with the legislative wing.
Addressing reports that a two-thirds majority of MPs could facilitate a split, Sawant argued that Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule requires both a merger of the original political party and support from at least two-thirds of legislators. Without a merger of the organisational Shiv Sena (UBT), he said, any standalone move by MPs could attract disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Sawant has requested Speaker Om Birla to reject any attempt to grant separate recognition, status or facilities to a breakaway faction and to ensure that no decision is taken without first hearing the official Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership.
The developments come amid heightened political uncertainty, with rumours surrounding Operation Tiger gaining momentum as several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs reportedly arrived in New Delhi around the same time as Eknath Shinde. While the Shinde faction has denied engineering defections, the latest legal and political moves suggest that a major confrontation between the two Shiv Sena factions may be imminent.
