Operation Tiger has been declared a complete success as six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led faction, with all legal, constitutional and parliamentary procedures completed before their induction. The six MPs - Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Dina Patil, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Omraje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Bandu Jadhav - publicly appeared alongside Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and announced their commitment to work under his leadership. Shinde declared the success of Operation Tiger, stating that the induction marked the second phase of the rebellion that began in June 2022, when he led a split in the undivided Shiv Sena. This development provides the Shinde faction with the crucial two-thirds parliamentary strength required to shield the defectors from disqualification under the anti-defection law.
The move significantly strengthens the Shinde faction's presence in the Lok Sabha, taking its tally from seven MPs to 13, representing a substantial increase in their parliamentary clout. The induction enhances the party's standing within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and provides the Shinde camp with the numerical advantage needed to influence legislative outcomes. Shinde assured the newly inducted leaders that their concerns and constituency-related issues would be addressed by the state and central governments, offering them assurance about their future representation and development needs.
The defecting MPs cited fund crunch as a primary reason for their switch, with Ashtikar claiming 'The Rs 5 crore MPLAD fund is very limited' and stating that 'I was not getting any development funds'. Ashtikar, who represents the Hingoli constituency, emphasized that 'People elected us with a lot of expectation, and getting their work done is my job' but was unable to fulfill these expectations due to lack of resources. The MPs also cited Uddhav's absence from the field during recent local body polls and the defeat of Sena (UBT) candidates as contributing factors to their decision. Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar's decision came days after he indicated that he would take a call following the verdict in the murder case of his father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, with a sessions court acquitting all accused on Saturday.
Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the six rebel MPs, calling them 'sold out' and accusing them of betraying the party and the people. Thackeray stated that 'Shiv Sena's political legacy was built around protecting the rights of Marathi people, and there could be only one Shiv Sena'. His son Aaditya Thackeray also targeted the rebel MPs and challenged them to seek a fresh mandate from voters, saying 'These cowardly people who are deserting the party today, and those who have sold themselves, should resign from their posts and contest elections again to prove their strength'. The criticism came as Uddhav Thackeray convened MLAs and MLCs at Shivalay in Nariman Point in an attempt to hold the party together as the crisis unfolded.
Congress leader Pawan Khera termed the reported defections under 'Operation Tiger' as 'Operation Keechad' (mud), questioning the BJP's motives and accusing the ruling party of 'stealing MPs' after failing to secure its target in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections'. Khera questioned 'Why he (PM Narendra Modi) is so hurt because he stopped at 240 and not 400 seats, that now he is busy stealing MPs from other parties like TMC, now Shiv Sena'. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena of engineering defections to expand their political dominance and weaken the opposition, suggesting that the process would be subject to scrutiny under provisions of the anti-defection law and would require recognition by the relevant authorities.
