17 June,2026 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Amid ongoing speculation about a possible rebellion within the Shiv Sena (UBT), party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday alleged that monetary inducements were being used to persuade some of the party's Lok Sabha members to switch sides.
The allegations come as reports continue to circulate about an alleged effort, dubbed "Operation Tiger" in political circles, aimed at attracting Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to the rival Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In a series of posts on X, Sanjay Raut alleged that large sums of money were being offered to MPs from Maharashtra to change their political allegiance.
Without providing evidence, he claimed that lawmakers were being promised substantial financial incentives as part of efforts to engineer defections. The remarks added to the political controversy surrounding reports that several Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could be considering a shift away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
Raut's comments followed growing speculation that a section of the party's parliamentary members may be exploring alternative political options.
The Sena (UBT) leader also criticised those allegedly considering a switch, questioning their political standing and suggesting that their prominence had increased because of their association with established political parties.
In another post, Raut referred to reports of chartered aircraft being used to transport lawmakers and claimed that some leaders had risen politically because of the support and recognition provided by the Thackeray family.
He warned that those abandoning the party would eventually be held accountable for their actions, while reiterating the party's opposition to any attempt to engineer defections.
Raut also challenged media reports suggesting that several Sena (UBT) MPs had already reached New Delhi as part of preparations for a possible split.
He cited the example of Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje, stating that the parliamentarian had travelled to Delhi for an official parliamentary committee meeting rather than for any political realignment.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that some reports were creating a misleading narrative about the activities and intentions of party MPs, adding that certain lawmakers had denied being involved in any rebellion.
The political controversy has coincided with efforts by Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership to prevent any possible split within its parliamentary ranks.
In a letter submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader in the Lok Sabha Arvind Sawant urged the Speaker not to recognise any breakaway faction claiming to represent the party.
The letter was submitted amid reports that up to seven of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs could be considering forming a separate group or aligning with another political formation.
Sawant argued that authority within Parliament flows from the parent political party and that lawmakers cannot independently create a rival structure while continuing to claim representation of the same organisation.
A significant portion of Sawant's representation to the Speaker focused on constitutional provisions governing defections and party recognition.
He maintained that the legislature wing derives its authority from the political party and that the constitutional framework does not permit multiple competing groups to represent the same political organisation within the House.
Sawant also referred to judicial precedents and constitutional provisions relating to defections, arguing that any attempt by a section of MPs to seek separate recognition would be inconsistent with established legal principles.
The developments come at a crucial time for Shiv Sena (UBT), which has been attempting to counter speculation about internal divisions. While party leaders insist that the organisation remains united under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, reports of possible defections continue to dominate Maharashtra's political landscape.
With rival parties closely monitoring the situation and political rhetoric intensifying, attention is now focused on whether the Sena (UBT) leadership can prevent another major split within its ranks.
