Shinde meets Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs in Delhi amid 'Operation Tiger' buzz

Amidst buzzing political developments in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reportedly held a late-night meeting in the national capital, Delhi, with six Lok Sabha MPs belonging to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). This meeting has intensified speculation surrounding 'Operation Tiger,' a purported move by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to engineer defections from the Thackeray faction and strengthen its parliamentary numbers. The reports suggest that these six MPs, out of the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s total of nine Lok Sabha members, were considering forming a separate group and potentially merging with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The timing of these developments is significant, as it comes shortly before the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the ruling alliance aims to pass crucial legislation. The political maneuvering is also seen as an effort to bolster the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) strength. In response to these developments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, who leads the party's parliamentary group, has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Sawant urged the Speaker not to entertain any claims from defecting MPs seeking recognition as a separate group or a merger with another political party. He emphasized that the legal provision for a 'split' no longer exists as per the 2003 amendment to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, and only a formal merger of the original political party can protect defectors from disqualification. Sawant also referenced the Supreme Court's decision in the 2023 Subhash Desai case, which affirmed the primacy of the political party over the legislative party. The situation is further complicated by allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who claimed that MPs from his party were being offered ₹15 crore each to switch sides. Raut described these alleged attempts to buy MPs as "shocking and disgusting." Despite these rumors and allegations, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including Sanjay Raut, have publicly asserted that all their MPs remain loyal to Uddhav Thackeray. They have attributed the absence of some MPs from physical meetings to medical emergencies or other valid reasons, and some have attended virtually. The ongoing political churn in Maharashtra is a continuation of the larger trend of political defections and realignments that have characterized Indian politics in recent years, particularly in Maharashtra, which has witnessed significant political upheavals, including the 2022 split within the Shiv Sena that led to the formation of the current government. The credibility of news sources reporting on these developments, such as The Times of India, NDTV, and ThePrint, has been assessed, with The Times of India generally regarded as a highly credible source in India, while NDTV and ThePrint have received mixed but generally reliable ratings. The broader context of 'Operation Tiger' suggests a strategic effort by the Shinde faction to consolidate its political position and potentially weaken the opposition, especially in light of upcoming legislative business in Parliament. The legal nuances of the anti-defection law, particularly the distinction between a 'split' and a 'merger,' are also central to the unfolding political drama. The Election Commission of India's recognition of the Eknath Shinde faction as the 'real Shiv Sena' in February 2023, based on the strength of its legislative wing, further adds to the complexity of the ongoing dispute over the party's identity and symbols. The current situation highlights the fluid nature of political alliances and loyalties in Indian politics, where such maneuvers are often orchestrated to gain political advantage.

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