18 June,2026 12:51 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai. Pic/X
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai on Thursday rejected reports of an alleged "Operation Tiger" aimed at engineering defections from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, asserting that the speculation has been amplified beyond its actual significance.
His remarks came ahead of a crucial meeting of the Shiv Sena (UBT) Parliamentary Party in New Delhi, called amid reports that a section of the party's Lok Sabha MPs could be considering a shift to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Despite the political buzz, Desai maintained that there was no basis for the claims and insisted that the party remained united.
Speaking to ANI in the national capital, Desai dismissed the narrative surrounding the alleged operation and said it had been exaggerated by sections of the media.
"It doesn't hold any water, but the media has blown it out of proportion," he said.
Maharashtra's political landscape has been dominated in recent days by speculation that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs may be in contact with the Eknath Shinde-led faction. The reports have drawn comparisons with the 2022 rebellion that split the undivided Shiv Sena and led to a major political realignment in the state.
However, Desai maintained that the current situation was being overstated and did not reflect the actual mood within the party.
The Lok Sabha MP said Shiv Sena (UBT) had already rejected what he described as media-driven conjecture about a possible rebellion.
According to Desai, party MPs understand the significance of parliamentary meetings and have regularly attended such gatherings in the past.
He said there was nothing unusual about the current meeting and argued that speculation about a split had been repeatedly denied by the party leadership.
"We have already rubbished these conjectures. I do not think that is going to happen," he said.
His comments came as party leaders sought to project unity amid continued reports of political unrest.
Desai also sought to downplay the significance of the whip issued by the party ahead of Thursday's meeting.
He said issuing a whip for parliamentary party meetings is a standard organisational practice and should not be interpreted as evidence of an internal crisis.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) Parliamentary Party had directed all Lok Sabha MPs to attend the meeting scheduled for 11 am in New Delhi.
While political observers have described the gathering as a crucial test of loyalty, Desai insisted that such meetings are a normal part of parliamentary functioning.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said party chief Uddhav Thackeray is closely monitoring the evolving political situation and remains in regular contact with party leaders and MPs.
"As party president, he is closely watching developments. We are in touch with him and other members are also in touch with him," Desai said.
The statement was aimed at reinforcing the impression that communication between the leadership and lawmakers remains intact despite reports of dissatisfaction among some MPs.
The party leadership has consistently maintained that no parliamentarian has officially informed it of any decision to leave.
Desai's remarks came shortly after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs had expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde and joined his faction.
Raghuvanshi described the development as the success of "Operation Tiger" and welcomed the MPs into the ruling party's fold.
However, no MP has publicly confirmed such a move, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have strongly disputed the claim.
Several MPs, including Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Dina Patil, have recently reaffirmed their loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray and denied reports linking them to any rebellion.
With conflicting claims emerging from both camps, attention is now centred on the parliamentary party meeting in Delhi.
The attendance of MPs and the decisions taken during the gathering are expected to provide the clearest indication yet of whether the Uddhav Thackeray-led party faces a genuine threat of another split or whether the reports remain part of ongoing political speculation.
As Maharashtra witnesses another round of political uncertainty, the outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for the future of Shiv Sena (UBT) and its strength in Parliament.
(With inputs from ANI)
