Uddhav Thackeray Faces Setback as Six UBT MPs Plan to Join Shinde Camp

Mumbai, 7th February 2025: Following a significant loss in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Uddhav Thackeray may soon face another major blow, as six MPs from the Shiv Sena (UBT) are reportedly planning to switch allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, sources revealed.

Dubbed ‘Operation Tiger,’ this move could see six out of the nine MPs from Thackeray’s faction joining Shinde’s camp in the coming days. Sources suggest that efforts are in full swing to complete this transition before the next parliamentary session.

Talks regarding this shift have been ongoing for some time. However, due to the anti-defection law, securing the support of at least six MPs was crucial to prevent legal repercussions. If fewer than six lawmakers defect, they could face disqualification under the law. As a result, the Shinde faction took time to ensure they had enough members willing to switch sides.

According to reports, the six MPs have now agreed to join Shinde’s camp and will be officially inducted soon. Additionally, sources indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is supporting this transition. There are also speculations that a few MLAs are in touch with the Shinde faction, considering a possible switch, though no final decision has been made regarding them yet.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, winning 235 out of 288 seats. Following this, Devendra Fadnavis was appointed as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, while Eknath Shinde was designated as the Deputy Chief Minister.