Will Operation Tiger Succeed? Shiv Sena UBT Crisis Deepens Ahead Of MPs’ Meet In Delhi Today; Focus On Who Stays With Thackeray Camp

Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) faction is facing a severe blow today, June 18, 2026, as six of its nine Lok Sabha MPs defied a party whip and skipped a crucial parliamentary meeting in Delhi, signaling their imminent defection to the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. This 'Operation Tiger', as it's been dubbed in political circles, saw only three loyal MPs attend the gathering, pushing Thackeray's parliamentary strength to the brink and setting the stage for yet another dramatic realignment in Maharashtra politics. The defection echoes the 2022 split that unseated Thackeray as Chief Minister and saw the Election Commission of India recognize the Shinde faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena in February 2023, a decision still challenged in the Supreme Court. This move significantly strengthens Eknath Shinde position within the ruling National Democratic Alliance, potentially boosting his faction's Lok Sabha tally to 13 MPs and solidifying its role as a key alliance partner, while exposing deep-seated frustrations within the UBT ranks. In response, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has initiated disciplinary proceedings, issuing show-cause notices to the absent MPs and threatening immediate disqualification. Senior leader Sanjay Raut has vehemently accused the opposition of horse-trading and warned of 'Operation Tudwa' – a public backlash against the defectors – with legal challenges expected to escalate, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. All eyes are now on the Lok Sabha Speaker to decide on recognizing the splinter group, while the political landscape braces for a fresh wave of legal battles and on-ground protests.