Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 22: In a significant political setback for Uddhav Thackeray, six Lok Sabha MPs from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) have switched allegiance to the Shiv Sena headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in a move the party has dubbed “Operation Tiger”.
The six MPs who joined the Shinde camp are Omprakash Bhupalsinh Nimbalkar from Dharashiv (Osmanabad), Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure and Sanjay Dina Patil.
With the defections, the strength of Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Lok Sabha has dropped from nine MPs to three, while the Shinde faction's tally has increased from seven to thirteen.
The three MPs who continue to remain with Uddhav Thackeray are Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje.
Signs of the split became evident after six of the nine UBT MPs skipped an important parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi. The speculation was later confirmed when the rebel lawmakers submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as a separate group.
By securing the support of six MPs, the group crossed the two-thirds threshold required under the anti-defection law, enabling them to avoid disqualification proceedings.
Explaining their decision, Nagesh Ashtikar and Omraje Nimbalkar said remaining in the Opposition had adversely affected development work in their constituencies. They argued that the Rs 5 crore MPLAD allocation was insufficient and that the absence of state government support was limiting their ability to deliver projects on the ground.
Ashtikar, speaking through a Facebook Live session, said he held no personal differences with Uddhav Thackeray but criticised the reaction of senior party leaders, particularly their “harsh and abusive language” and what he described as a lack of trust after the MPs skipped the Delhi meeting.
Omraje Nimbalkar's decision to switch camps came shortly after a sessions court acquitted those accused in the murder case of his father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar.
He said that Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis helped facilitate a discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured him that the Central Bureau of Investigation would challenge the acquittal based on legal merit.
In response, Uddhav Thackeray has launched a statewide outreach campaign beginning with Yavatmal, Washim and Hingoli to contain the political damage.
He accused the rebel MPs of abandoning the party after benefiting electorally, alleging that they had “sold themselves after increasing their value following the election”.
The latest defections are expected to further strengthen Eknath Shinde's claim that his faction represents the true political legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Political observers believe the move could also reinforce the appeal of the ruling Mahayuti alliance among leaders seeking greater access to state-backed development projects and administrative support.