22 June,2026 07:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Six rebel MPs of the Shiv Sena (UBT) join the Eknath Shinde-headed Shiv Sena in Mumbai on Monday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Monday declared "Operation Tiger" complete after six Lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Shiv Sena (UBT) formally joined the ruling Shiv Sena, dealing a major blow to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
The six MPs who crossed over are Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli), Omprakash Rajenimbalkar alias Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), and Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi).
The induction took place in Mumbai in the presence of Shinde and senior Shiv Sena leaders, days after the six MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting convened by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in New Delhi. With their exit, the Thackeray faction's strength in the Lok Sabha has come down from nine MPs to three.
Addressing party workers and the media, Shinde described the crossover as the successful culmination of "Operation Tiger".
"'Operation Tiger' is complete now. My operations are foolproof," he said, while referring to the six MPs as "Dhurandhar" leaders who remain connected to the grassroots.
Claiming that the Shiv Sena had emerged stronger, Shinde stated, "These Lok Sabha members have now joined the original Shiv Sena that follows the teachings of late Balasaheb Thackeray. Four years back I took a strong step and now I have hit a sixer."
Referring to his 2022 rebellion against the undivided Shiv Sena, the Maharashtra Deputy CM said the move was aimed at preserving the ideals of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
"I did it earlier to save the principles of late Balasaheb Thackeray and to save the Shiv Sena. Now, this move is the second stage of Shiv Sena expansion," he stated.
Shinde also asserted that the Shiv Sena under his leadership represented the party's original ideology.
"Shiv Sena is one family. It represents the true Shiv Sena and upholds the ideologies of Balasaheb Thackeray and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe," he said after welcoming the six MPs into the party fold.
Praising Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar, Shinde said the parliamentarian had taken the decision after consulting his supporters and party workers.
"Omraje Nimbalkar came with us with a king-size heart. He discussed with his workers and then decided to come with us. They called him Reel Star, but he is a Real Star, according to me," Shinde stated.
He added that the MPs had joined the Shiv Sena not for personal gain but for the development of their constituencies.
Referring to the recent acquittal of the accused in the murder case of Nimbalkar's father, Pawanraje, Shinde said, "A few days back, an unfortunate decision came in the matter of Omraje Nimbalkar's father's matter, but I told him don't worry, Eknath Shinde is standing with you."
Shinde also recalled the growth of his faction after the 2022 split.
"We had 40 MLAs when we revolted, but later in the elections, we became 60 from 40," he said, adding that the people had endorsed the decision taken by his camp.
The six MPs had won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets. Their switch is being seen as a significant political gain for the ruling Shiv Sena and the Mahayuti alliance ahead of future electoral battles in Maharashtra.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
