Shinde Sena Gains Six UBT MPs, Lok Sabha Speaker Approves Merger

In a significant political development in Maharashtra, six Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction officially switched allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on June 22, 2026. This strategic maneuver, internally termed 'Operation Tiger' by the Shinde camp, was publicly declared complete by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.. The defection marks a critical juncture in the ongoing power struggle between the two Shiv Sena factions that emerged after the party's split in 2022. The six MPs who crossed over are Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omprakash Rajenimbalkar (also known as Omraje Nimbalkar). Their formal induction into the Shinde faction was widely reported by various credible Indian news outlets, including The Hindu, The Economic Times, Newsonair, and The Times of India, confirming the accuracy of the original article's claims. The term 'Operation Tiger' was indeed a recognized phrase used within the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) to describe their concerted efforts to attract disgruntled MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray camp. Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde, is credited with meticulously planning and executing this operation over nearly a year, maintaining a high degree of secrecy with only a few key individuals aware of the details. Eknath Shinde himself hailed the success of 'Operation Tiger' as a victory for the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray and a continuation of his 2022 rebellion aimed at preserving the party's principles. Further solidifying this political shift, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially approved the merger of these six MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on July 18, 2026, just ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. This approval is crucial as it leverages the anti-defection law, which allows for the merger of a party with another if at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favor, thereby protecting the defecting MPs from disqualification. Before this defection, the Shiv Sena (UBT) held nine Lok Sabha seats. With the departure of these six members, their parliamentary strength has been significantly reduced to just three MPs. Conversely, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which previously had seven MPs, has now seen its count rise to thirteen. This makes the Shinde faction the second-largest party in Maharashtra in terms of MP count and the largest National Democratic Alliance (NDA) party from the state in the Lok Sabha. The implications of this development are profound for Maharashtra's political landscape. It not only bolsters the Eknath Shinde faction's position within the ruling Mahayuti coalition (comprising BJP, Shiv Sena-Shinde, and NCP-Ajit) but also weakens the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition (Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress, and NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar). The increased numbers for Shinde's Shiv Sena are expected to enhance its bargaining power within the alliance, especially with upcoming civic body elections in Maharashtra, where the Mahayuti has already shown strong performance. Naturally, the move has drawn strong reactions from the Uddhav Thackeray camp. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, have alleged that the defecting MPs were paid substantial sums, specifically ₹85 crore, by the ruling Mahayuti alliance to switch sides. Aaditya Thackeray, another prominent UBT leader, has also accused the Shinde-BJP alliance of aiming to change the Constitution by poaching legislators. The UBT faction has indicated that it plans to examine the Speaker's order and may challenge it in court. These allegations highlight the intense political rivalry and the high stakes involved in the control of the Shiv Sena's legacy and electoral future. In conclusion, the news article from The New Indian Express accurately reports the defection of six UBT MPs to the Shinde Sena under 'Operation Tiger' and its role in formalizing a split. The event is well-corroborated by multiple credible sources and represents a significant shift in Maharashtra's political dynamics, with both immediate and long-term consequences for the involved factions and the state's governance. The Speaker's approval adds a crucial legal dimension to this political maneuver, legitimizing the shift under the existing anti-defection framework.

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