Mumbai: Amid the looming ‘Operation Tiger’, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of all party MLAs at Matoshree, the Bandra residence of the Thackeray family.
In fact, developments involving Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress– where reports of internal dissent and revolted MPs have emerged – have added to concerns within opposition ranks and rattled Thackeray’s camp.
This comes months after what happened in the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, when a group of Rajya Sabha MPs led by Raghav Chadda defected to the BJP.
The June 14 meeting in Matoshree is seen as a crucial exercise to gauge organizational loyalty and cohesion within the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The development comes amid persistent speculation that some Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs have been in touch with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose rebellion in 2022 split the original Shiv Sena and dramatically changed the state’s political landscape.
While the MPs in question have repeatedly denied any plans to switch sides, reports of interactions with Shinde camp leaders have surfaced periodically, fueling fresh speculation about the possibility of another round of defections.
Confirming the meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said it was part of the party’s regular review process.
“Yes, a meeting of MPs has been called. Uddhavji regularly meets MPs, MLAs, MLCs, corporators and other officials in Matoshree. The monsoon session of Parliament is approaching and he will discuss issues related to Maharashtra,” Raut said.
In the Lok Sabha, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has nine MPs, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has seven.
The nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs are Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South), Anil Desai (Mumbai South Central), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Sanjay Jadhahav (Nabshikahu) Wakchaure (Shirdi) and Omprakash Nimbalkar (Dharashiv).
The meeting comes a day after Uddhav Thackeray’s son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray celebrated his 36th birthday, with several MPs publicly conveying their wishes.
Ashtikar and Waze strongly denied reports linking them to the Shinde camp.
“Don’t believe rumours. Such reports are being spread deliberately,” Ashtikar said, adding that he would attend the meeting.
“Shiv Sena (UBT) made me MLA and MP. I will not go anywhere. I will not leave Uddhav Saheb,” claimed Waze.
Thackeray confidant and MLC Ambadas Danve also rubbished reports of political reshuffle.
“For several months there have been reports linking me to others. There is no truth in such claims,” Danve said.
Despite the denials, speculation continues around several leaders, notably Parbhani MP Sanjay Jadhav, who is believed to be in regular touch with Shinde and his son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan and leader of the Shiv Sena parliamentary party.
Those involved have claimed that such interactions have to do with constituency development works and administrative issues. However, political observers believe that the meetings have assumed greater importance amid the ongoing political situation in Maharashtra.
The political atmosphere has become increasingly charged following reports of unrest within the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, prompting discussions within opposition circles about the vulnerability of regional parties and the challenges of maintaining organizational unity in the face of ongoing political pressure.
Adding fuel to the speculations, Union Minister of State for AYUSH and senior Shiv Sena leader Prataprao Jadhav asserted that “the moment Shinde Saheb wants, Operation Tiger will end”.
Another senior Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil tried to dismiss the notion of an ongoing operation but questioned the condition of the Thackeray camp.
“There is no operation Tiger. But the question is why people are leaving. There is a need for them to examine for themselves. Look at what has happened in the Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress,” Patil said.
His remarks drew parallels between the challenges facing opposition parties across the country and underscored the broader national debate on opposition unity and political stability.
For the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sunday’s Matoshree meeting is expected to serve as a strategy session ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament and as a public demonstration of unity at a time when questions over loyalty and defections continue to dominate Maharashtra’s political discourse.
