Shiv Sena leader claims six Sena (UBT) MPs have joined Eknath Shinde camp

Political uncertainty surrounding the Shiv Sena UBT deepened on Thursday after Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi claimed that six MPs from the Uddhav Thackerayled party had expressed confidence in Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and joined his factionThe claim comes amid intense speculation over a possible split in the Shiv Sena UBTs parliamentary wing although no official announcement confirming such a move had been made by the MPs concerned at the time of Raghuvanshis statementRaghuvanshi claims six MPs have switched allegianceSpeaking to reporters in Dhule Raghuvanshi said what has been described in political circles as Operation Tiger had effectively succeededSix MPs have expressed confidence in Eknath Shinde and joined Shiv Sena I welcome them he saidWATCH Dhule Maharashtra Shiv Sena MLC Chandrakant Raghuvanshi says Operation Tiger has taken place in Maharashtra Today six MPs expressed their confidence in Eknath Shinde and have joined Shiv Sena It is good that they joined us I welcome them pictwittercomd1coNhcCS7mdash ANI ANI June 18 2026The Shiv Sena legislator did not identify the MPs he was referring to nor did he provide details about when or how the alleged shift took placeHis remarks came even as the Shiv Sena UBT was holding a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi to assess support among its Lok Sabha members and address reports of a possible rebellionShindeBJP alliance projected as development platformRaghuvanshi argued that elected representatives seeking to carry out development work should align themselves with the Shiv SenaBJP allianceHe claimed that many public representatives believe they can better serve their constituencies by being part of the ruling coalition and suggested that Eknath Shindes leadership had emerged as a natural choice for those identifying with the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray reported ANIThe comments reflect the ruling alliances attempt to project itself as the primary political platform for leaders seeking influence and development fundsOperation Tiger speculation intensifiesThe latest claim has added fresh momentum to speculation surrounding an alleged effort to attract MPs from the Uddhav Thackerayled partyReports over the past few days have suggested that several of the nine Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MPs may be in contact with leaders from the Eknath Shinde camp The reports have drawn comparisons with the 2022 rebellion that split the undivided Shiv Sena and dramatically altered Maharashtras political landscapeHowever several MPs including Rajabhau Waje and Sanjay Dina Patil have publicly denied reports linking them to any rebellion and reaffirmed their loyalty to Uddhav ThackerayThe Shiv Sena UBT leadership has also maintained that no official split has taken placeSena UBT leadership moves to contain crisisIn response to the speculation the party issued a whip directing all MPs to attend a parliamentary party meeting in New DelhiSenior leaders including Sanjay Raut Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai have also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to strictly follow constitutional provisions if any group seeks recognition as a separate factionThe party has argued that individual groups of legislators cannot independently claim recognition and that any merger must comply with constitutional and antidefection requirementsThe outcome of the parliamentary party meeting is expected to provide greater clarity on the actual strength of the Uddhav Thackeray campUnion minister targets Sanjay RautMeanwhile Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav criticised Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut alleging that his style of politics and public statements were contributing to the weakening of the partyResponding to questions regarding reports of internal unrest Jadhav said any representations made by Shiv Sena UBT MPs were an internal matter and that the final decision would rest with Lok Sabha Speaker Om BirlaHe also referred to the upcoming Shiv Sena Foundation Day celebrations on June 19 and said those who believe in Bal Thackerays ideology would participate in the event an apparent reference to the Eknath Shindeled factionKey day for Shiv Sena UBTThursday is emerging as a crucial day for Shiv Sena UBT with the parliamentary party meeting expected to reveal whether the party can maintain unity or faces another significant splitWhile leaders from the Shinde camp are claiming growing support among Shiv Sena UBT MPs the Uddhav Thackerayled faction continues to insist that reports of a mass defection are exaggeratedPolitical observers are now closely watching developments in New Delhi where the attendance and positions taken by MPs could determine the future course of one of Maharashtras most significant political battlesWith inputs from ANI