Shiv Sena factions mark foundation day amid 'Operation Tiger' buzz in Maharashtra

The rival Shiv Sena factions led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray marked the partys foundation day separately on Friday underscoring the continuing political divide that has shaped Maharashtra politics since the split in 2022The celebrations this year assumed added significance amid heightened speculation surrounding the alleged Operation Tiger and reports that a section of Shiv Sena UBT MPs could be considering a shift to the Shindeled Shiv SenaBoth factions organised events and displayed banners and posters across Mumbai as they sought to assert their claim over the partys legacy and political baseRival camps showcase strength across MumbaiPosters and banners put up by both factions dominated several prominent locations in Mumbai including Bandra Kalanagar and the Matoshree areaThe visual display highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the two camps which have remained locked in political and legal battles since the Shiv Sena split nearly three years agoLeaders and workers from both sides used the occasion to celebrate the partys foundation day while reiterating their commitment to the ideals of Shiv Sena founder Bal ThackerayThe separate celebrations reflected the continuing efforts by both factions to strengthen their organisational presence and political identityFoundation day held amid Operation Tiger buzzThis years celebrations come against the backdrop of growing political speculation over an alleged Operation TigerThe term has been used in recent days to describe reports suggesting that several MPs from the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT are in touch with leaders from the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and could join the ruling allianceThe speculation has dominated Maharashtras political discourse and triggered a series of meetings statements and disciplinary measures within the Shiv Sena UBTThe party leadership has repeatedly denied reports of a formal split while taking steps against MPs who skipped a recent parliamentary party meeting in New DelhiClaims over six MPs intensify political debateThe latest round of speculation gained momentum after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs from Shiv Sena UBT had expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde and aligned themselves with his factionThe claim has not been officially confirmed by the MPs concernedLeaders from the Uddhav Thackeray camp have challenged such assertions and maintained that reports of largescale defections are being exaggeratedThe conflicting claims have added to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Shiv Sena UBTs parliamentary wingSplit continues to shape Maharashtra politicsThe current political rivalry traces its roots to 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackerays leadership and walked away with a large number of Shiv Sena MLAsThe revolt resulted in the division of the undivided Shiv Sena and triggered a prolonged political and legal battle over the partys name symbol and organisational controlSubsequently the Election Commission recognised the Eknath Shindeled faction as the official Shiv Sena and allotted it the partys traditional bowandarrow symbolThe Uddhav Thackerayled faction was recognised as Shiv Sena UBT and received a separate party symbolBattle for legacy continuesEven after the formal split both factions have continued to claim that they represent the ideology and legacy of Bal ThackerayThe foundation day celebrations provided another opportunity for the rival camps to showcase their political strength and reinforce their respective narrativesFor the Shinde faction the event came amid claims that more leaders and MPs could join its ranks For the Uddhav Thackeray camp it served as a platform to project unity and counter reports of defectionsWith the controversy surrounding the alleged Operation Tiger still unfolding the battle between the two Shiv Sena factions is expected to remain at the centre of Maharashtra politics in the days aheadWith inputs from ANI