Political tension within Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena intensifies amid reports of “Operation Tiger,” a campaign described by opposition figures and Shinde allies’ leaders for absorbing Uddhav Thackeray camp members. Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and other Thackeray loyalists allege financial inducements and political pressure aimed at engineering defections. Raut asserts a “minimum support price” of ₹50 crore per MP and claims some MPs were offered ₹15 crore, while he also launches verbal attacks at alleged “rebel” MPs. The Thackeray camp leader Arvind Sawant writes to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting that any plea for separate recognition or merger be rejected, citing constitutional and anti-defection provisions and arguing that separate group recognition is not available without the parent party’s organisational merger.
On the other side, Shinde camp figures dismiss claims of engineered defections or say the label “Operation Tiger” reflects Shiv Sena’s strength. Shiv Sena MLC Krupal Tumane claims discussions with seven of the nine UBT MPs have reached the “final stage” and says they may join the Shinde-led faction before the monsoon session. The Thackeray faction issues instructions for MPs to attend a key Delhi meeting, with reports naming multiple MPs who are in the national capital as speculation grows over who stays with Thackeray.